NUCLEINASE Meaning and
Definition
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Nucleinase is an enzyme that can break down and degrade nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, into their constituent units called nucleotides. It is classified as a nuclease, which refers to a group of enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of phosphodiester bonds in nucleic acids.
Nucleinases play a vital role in various biological processes, including DNA repair, DNA replication, and RNA processing. They are involved in maintaining the integrity and stability of the cell's genetic material. By breaking down nucleic acids, nucleinases help regulate gene expression and remove damaged or unwanted DNA or RNA molecules.
There are different types of nucleinases depending on the substrate they act upon. For instance, DNA nucleases specifically target DNA molecules, while RNA nucleases are specific to RNA. Furthermore, nucleinases can be further categorized based on their mode of action: endonucleases cleave the phosphodiester bonds within the nucleic acid chain at specific internal sites, while exonucleases cleave the bonds at the ends of the chain.
The discovery and study of nucleinases have significant implications in various fields, including molecular biology, genetics, and biotechnology. Scientists have been able to harness the activity of nucleinases for various applications, such as gene therapy, genetic engineering, and forensic analysis. Understanding the intricacies of nucleinases and their catalytic properties enables researchers to manipulate nucleic acids with precision and facilitate advancements in these scientific disciplines.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for NUCLEINASE
- nuclease
- bucleinase
- mucleinase
- jucleinase
- hucleinase
- nycleinase
- nhcleinase
- njcleinase
- nicleinase
- n8cleinase
- n7cleinase
- nuxleinase
- nuvleinase
- nufleinase
- nudleinase
- nuckeinase
- nucpeinase
- nucoeinase
- nuclwinase
- nuclsinase
Etymology of NUCLEINASE
The word "nucleinase" is derived from two components: "nuclein" and the suffix "-ase".
The term "nuclein" is derived from the Latin word "nucleus", which means "kernel" or "seed". It was originally used to refer to a substance found in the nucleus of cells, which we now know as DNA or RNA.
The suffix "-ase" is widely used in biology to indicate an enzyme. It is derived from the Greek suffix "-asis", which means "process" or "action".
So, combining "nuclein" with "-ase" forms "nucleinase", which refers to an enzyme that acts upon nucleic acids (DNA or RNA), often by breaking it down.
Similar spelling words for NUCLEINASE
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