| gene switch | <molecular biology> A situation in which a cell or organism stops expressing one gene orgene group and switches to expressing a different gene or group of genes. (09 Oct 1997) |
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| gene synthesis | <molecular biology> The complete synthesis of a gene using a DNA synthesiser (gene machine), or the assembly of oligonucleotides so synthesised into a synthetic gene, as opposed to cloning. (14 Nov 1997) |
| gene targeting | The integration of exogenous DNA into the genome of an organism at sites where its expression can be suitably controlled. This integration occurs as a result of homologous recombination. (12 Dec 1998) |
| gene testing | Testing a sample of blood (or another fluid or tissue) for evidence of a gene. The evidence can be biochemical, chromosomal, or genetic. The aim is to learn whether a gene for a disease is present or absent. (12 Dec 1998) |
| gene therapy | <molecular biology> Treatment of a disease caused by malfunction of a gene, by stably transfecting the cells of the organism with the normal gene. (18 Nov 1997) |
| gene transfer | <molecular biology> General tem for the insertion of foreign genes into a cell or organism. Synonymous with transfection. (18 Nov 1997) |
| gene translocation | The movement of a gene fragment from one chromosomal location to another, which often alters or abolishes expression. (09 Oct 1997) |
| receptors, calcitonin gene-related peptide | Cell surface proteins that bind calcitonin gene-related peptide (cgrp) with high affinity and trigger intracellular changes which influence the behaviour of cells. Cgrp receptors are present in both the central nervous system and the periphery and are not the same as calcitonin receptors. (12 Dec 1998) |
| recessive gene | A gene that is expressed onlywhen it is present in two copies or if theother copy is missing. (09 Oct 1997) |
| marker gene | Gene that confers some readily detectable phenotype on cells carrying the gene, either in culture or in transgenic or chimeric organisms. Gene could be an enzymic reporter gene, a selectable marker conferring antibiotic resistance or a cell membrane protein with a characteristic epitope. (18 Nov 1997) |
| germ line gene therapy | The repair or replacement of a defective gene within the gamete-forming tissues, which produces an inheritable change in an organisms genetic constitution. (09 Oct 1997) |
| catabolite gene activator | catabolite (gene) activator protein |
| catabolite gene activator protein | <molecular biology, protein> A regulatory protein that triggers the transcription of genes that generate the enzymes bacteria need to usenutrients when glucose isabsent. (16 Mar 1998) |
| catabolite (gene) activator protein | A protein that can be activated by cAMP, whereupon it affects the action of RNA polymerase by binding it with it or near it on the DNA to be transcribed. Synonym: cAMP receptor protein, catabolite gene activator. (05 Mar 2000) |
| maternal effect gene | Gene, usually required for early embryonic development, whose product is secreted into the egg by the mother. The phenotype is thus determined by the mother's, rather than the egg's, genotype. Compare:. Zygotic effect gene. See: egg polarity gene. (18 Nov 1997) |