| denaturation temperature of DNA | That temperature at which, under a given set of conditions, double-stranded DNA is changed (50%) to single-stranded DNA; under standard conditions, the base composition of the DNA can be estimated from the denaturation temperature, since the greater the denaturation temperature, the greater the guanine-plus-cytosine content (i.e., GC content) of the DNA. Synonym: melting temperature of DNA. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| DNA | <cell biology, molecular biology> Deoxyribonucleic acid. The molecule that encodes genetic information in the nucleus of cells. It determines the structure, function and behaviour of the cell. DNA is a double-stranded molecule held together by weak bonds between base pairs of nucleotides. The four nucleotides in DNA contain the bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T). In nature, base pairs form only between A and T and between G and C, thus the base sequence of each single strand can be deduced from that of its partner. (10 Nov 1998) |
| DNA-activated protein kinase | <enzyme> Nuclear serine-threonine protein kinase that phosphorylates DNA-binding proteins; may function in cell homeostasis Registry number: EC 2.7.10.- Synonym: DNA-pk, DNA-dependent protein serine-threonine kinase, DNA-dependent protein kinase, scid gene product, xrcc7 gene product (26 Jun 1999) |
| DNA adducts | Covalent adducts between chemical mutagens and DNA. Such couplings activate DNA repair processes and, unless repaired prior to DNA replication, may lead to nucleotide substitutions, deletions, and chromosome rearrangements. (rieger et al., glossary of genetics: classical and molecular, 5th ed) (12 Dec 1998) |
| DNA alkyltransferase | <enzyme> Involved in DNA repair by conversion of o(6)-alkylguanine and o(4)-alkylthymine to the normal bases; see also EC 2.1.1.63, o(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase Registry number: EC 2.5.1.- Synonym: alkylated DNA alkyltransferase (26 Jun 1999) |
| DNA amplification | <molecular biology> The use of enzymes in making millions or billions of copies of a single DNA sequence (see PCR). (14 Nov 1997) |
| DNA annealing | <molecular biology> The reformation of double stranded DNA from thermally denatured DNA. The rate of reassociation depends upon the degree of repetition and is slowest for unique sequences (this is the basis of the Cot value). (18 Nov 1997) |
| DNA, antisense | A DNA molecule which is complementary to the sense strand (that which functions as a template for the synthesis of mRNA) but is not involved in transcription. Both strands are involved in replication. (12 Dec 1998) |
| DNA-(apurinic or apyrimidinic site) lyase | <enzyme> Formerly EC 3.1.25.2 Registry number: EC 4.2.99.18 Synonym: endodeoxyribonuclease (apurinic or apyrimidinic), apurinic endonuclease, apurinic DNA endonuclease, purine insertase, endonuclease iv, DNA repair endonuclease, endonuclease vi, endonuclease iv, E coli, bap1, bovine ap endonuclease I, nfo gene product, apci, apcii, apciii, ap lyase, ap endonuclease, hap1 DNA repair enzyme, apurine-apyrimidine endonuclease (26 Jun 1999) |
| DNA, archaeal | Deoxyribonucleic acid that makes up the genetic material of archaea. (12 Dec 1998) |
| DNA, bacterial | Deoxyribonucleic acid that makes up the genetic material of bacteria. (12 Dec 1998) |
| DNA beta-glucosyltransferase | <enzyme> Transfers a beta-d-glucosyl residue from udp-glucose to hydroxymethylcytosine residues in double-stranded DNA Registry number: EC 2.4.1.27 Synonym: udp-glucose-DNA beta-d-glucosyltransferase, udp-glucose - 5-hydroxymethylcytosine beta-glucosyltransferase (26 Jun 1999) |
| DNA binding protein | <molecular biology> Proteins that interact with DNA, typically to pack or modify the DNA for example histones or to regulate gene expression, transcription factors. Among those proteins that recognise specific DNA sequences, there are a number of characteristic conserved motifs believed to be essential for specificity. (18 Nov 1997) |
| DNA-binding protein, cyclic AMP-responsive | A protein that has been shown to function as a calcium regulated transcription factor as well as a substrate for depolarisation-activated calcium calmodulin-dependent protein kinases I and II. This protein functions to integrate both calcium and camp signals. (12 Dec 1998) |
| DNA-binding proteins | Proteins which bind to DNA. The family includes proteins which bind to both double- and single-stranded DNA and also includes specific DNA binding proteins in serum which can be used as markers for malignant diseases. (12 Dec 1998) |