| a-form DNA | <molecular biology> One of several forms that can be assumed by a double helix. A-DNA is stable in dehydrated conditions. This form is less common than the dominant form found under physiological conditions -- beta-DNA. This form is also assumed by DNA-RNA hybrid helices and by regions of double-stranded RNA. It is a right-handed helix and is a more compact form than beta-DNA. (09 Oct 1997) |
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| antisense DNA | <molecular biology> A synthetic DNA strand that is complementary to a particular strand of target DNA with a complementary sequence of bases. This results in preventing expression of the gene encoded. These proteins can be used to selectively turn off production of certain proteins or block viral genetic instructions, by marking them for destruction by cellular enzymes, in order to prevent the building of new virus or the infection of new cells. (14 Nov 1997) |
| apurinic DNA | <molecular biology> A DNA molecule that has lost adenine and guanine, its purine bases. Apurinic DNA can be produced by treating the DNA with acid. (09 Oct 1997) |
| ATP-dependent DNA strand transferase | <enzyme> From human cell nuclei; catalyses strand exchange between homologous DNA sequences; magnesium dependent, requires ATP hydrolysis Registry number: EC 2.7.7.- Synonym: ATP-dep-DNA-str trnsfase (26 Jun 1999) |
| bacteriophage T7 induced DNA polymerase | <enzyme> Complex of two proteins, phage gene 5 protein and E coli thioredoxin Registry number: EC 2.7.7.- Synonym: t7 phage DNA polymerase, sequenase, t7 DNA polymerase, thermo sequenase (26 Jun 1999) |
| base in DNA | A unit of the DNA. There are 4 bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), thymine (T), and cytosine (C). The sequence of bases (for example, CAG) is the genetic code. (12 Dec 1998) |
| beta-DNA | <molecular biology> The normal form of DNA found in organisms, which exists as a right-handed helix. (09 Oct 1997) |
| blunt-end DNA | <molecular biology> A fragment of a DNA molecule in which the ends of both strands are even with each other rather than one strand being longer than the other. (09 Oct 1997) |
| blunt-ended DNA | Double-stranded DNA in which at least one of the ends has no unpaired bases. (05 Mar 2000) |
| vaccines, DNA | Recombinant DNA vectors encoding antigens administered for the prevention or treatment of disease. The host cells take up the DNA, express the antigen, and present it to the immune system in a manner similar to that which would occur during natural infection. This induces humoral and cellular immune responses against the encoded antigens. The vector is called naked DNA because there is no need for complex formulations or delivery agents; the plasmid is injected in saline or other buffers. (12 Dec 1998) |
| Rad3 ATPase-DNA helicase | <enzyme> Can unwind duplex regions as short as 11 base pairs in a partially duplex circular DNA substrate; on partially duplex linear substrates, the enzyme has a strict 5'--3' polarity with respect to the single strand to which it binds; nicked circular DNA is not utilised; from saccharomyces cerevisiae Registry number: EC 3.6.1.- Synonym: rad3 protein (26 Jun 1999) |
| palindromic DNA | A segment of DNA in which the sequence is symmetrical about its midpoint. (05 Mar 2000) |
| random amplification of polymorphic DNA | <molecular biology> A term originally invented by polymer chemists to describe a disordered tangle of a linear polymer chain with curved sections. In DNA parlance the random coil refers to the structure that results from melting or other forms of separation of the double helix, i.e. Helix coil transition. (18 Nov 1997) |
| random amplified polymorphic DNA technique | Technique that utilises low-stringency polymerase chain reaction (pcr) amplification with single primers of arbitrary sequence to generate strain-specific arrays of anonymous DNA fragments. Rapd technique may be used to determine taxonomic identity, assess kinship relationships, analyze mixed genome samples, and create specific probes. (12 Dec 1998) |
| genomic DNA | <molecular biology> The DNA which is found in the organisms genome and is passed on to offspring as information necessary for survival. The phrase is used to distinguish between other types of DNA, such as found within plasmids. (09 Oct 1997) |