| mating type gene | Genes that, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae specify into which of the two mating types (a and _) a particular cell falls. Only unlike mating type haploids will fuse. The interest derives from the way in which mating type is switched, the existing gene is removed and a new gene, derived from a (silent) master copy elsewhere in the genome is spliced in. Later this gene will in its turn be replaced by a new copy of the old gene, also derived from a silent master. The a and _ genes code for pheromones that affect cells of the opposite mating type. Similar mating type genes are known from other yeasts and the switching mechanism (cassette mechanism) may be used more generally. (18 Nov 1997) |
|---|---|
| V gene | v region |
| PAS gene | <genetics, molecular biology> Genes essential for the biogenesis and proliferation of peroxisomes in yeast (s. Cerevisiae). PAS1 codes for a rather hydrophilic 117 kD protein with two ATP binding sites and similarity with some ATPases, PAS2 codes for a 183 residue polypeptide that seems to be a member of the ubiquitin conjugating protein family, PAS3 codes for a 48 kD integral membrane protein that may be part of the import machinery. (18 Nov 1997) |
| regulator gene | A gene that produces a repressor substance that inhibits an operator gene when combined with it. It thus prevents production of a specific enzyme. When the enzyme is again in demand, a specific regulatory metabolite inhibits the repressor substance. (05 Mar 2000) |
| regulatory gene | A gene that codes for a repressor protein. (09 Oct 1997) |
| cc-ckr-5 gene | A gene which encodes a protein (also called CC-CKR-5) embedded in the surface of immune cells. The HIV virus (the virus which causes AIDS) uses the protein to invade the immune cells. People who have one mutated and one working copy of this gene take longer to develop AIDS after infection with HIV than people who have two working copies of the gene. People who have mutations in both copies of this gene are resistant to HIV infection. (09 Oct 1997) |
| globin gene | <molecular biology> One of a group of genes which codes for a respiratory globin protein. These are found in many animals including humans. (09 Oct 1997) |
| cdc gene | <molecular biology> Cell division cycle genes, of which many have now been defined, especially in yeasts. See cyclin. (18 Nov 1997) |
| cell division cycle gene | Genes which control the yeast cell cycle. There are around 50 different genes which do this. (09 Oct 1997) |
| Pax gene | <molecular biology> Mouse genes that contain a DNA binding domain similar to one in the paired genes of Drosophila. 8 Pax genes have been identified and most of them are expressed in the nervous system during development. A number of mouse mutations have been found to map to Pax genes. For example: undulated, which causes distortions of the vertebral column and sternum results from a point mutations of PAX 1 and is expressed in the sclerotome. (18 Nov 1997) |
| reporter gene | <molecular biology> A gene that encodes an easily assayed product (e.g. CAT) that is coupled to the upstream sequence of another gene and transfected into cells. The reporter gene can then be used to see which factors activate response elements in the upstream region of the gene of interest. (18 Nov 1997) |
| repressor gene | A gene that prevents a nonallele from being transcribed. (05 Mar 2000) |
| C gene | The gene coding for the constant regions of immunoglobulin chains. (05 Mar 2000) |
| rho gene | <molecular biology> Genes coding for small GTP-binding proteins, implicated in actin organisation and the interaction of the cytoskelton with intracellular membranes. See: ras, rab. (23 Aug 1998) |
| chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene | <molecular biology> A gene which codes for the CAT enzyme (the enzyme chloramphenicol acetyltransferase), which helps transfer an acetyl group (a CH3CO- group) to chloramphenicol, an antibiotic. The CAT gene is an important part of CAT assays. (09 Oct 1997) |