Antisense is a term that is commonly used in the field of genetics and molecular biology. It refers to a type of nucleic acid molecule that is complementary to another specific nucleic acid sequence. Antisense technology has been used in various applications, including the development of therapeutic drugs, genetic engineering, and gene regulation.
Definitions
Antisense is defined as a type of nucleic acid molecule that is complementary to another specific nucleic acid sequence. It can be a single-stranded RNA or DNA molecule that hybridizes with a complementary sequence to form a double-stranded nucleic acid molecule.
Origin
The origins of antisense technology can be traced back to the 1970s when researchers discovered the mechanism of gene regulation through complementary base pairing. In the early 1980s, scientists began to develop antisense technology as a way to regulate gene expression.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, antisense is defined as “a nucleic acid molecule that is complementary to another specific nucleic acid sequence, and can form a double-stranded molecule with it.”
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines antisense as “a segment of RNA or DNA that is complementary to and can hybridize with a specific messenger RNA or DNA sequence, thereby inhibiting gene expression.”
Associations
Antisense technology has been used in various applications, including the development of therapeutic drugs, genetic engineering, and gene regulation. It has been used to treat diseases such as cancer, HIV, and genetic disorders.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of antisense include complementary DNA (cDNA), antisense RNA (asRNA), and RNA interference (RNAi).
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms of antisense, but the opposite of gene regulation through complementary base pairing is gene expression.
The same root words
The root words of antisense are “anti-” and “sense.” “Anti-” means against, while “sense” refers to the nucleic acid sequence that codes for a specific protein.
Example Sentences
- The researchers used antisense technology to inhibit the expression of a specific gene.
- The drug was designed to target the mRNA of the virus using antisense technology.
- Antisense RNA molecules can hybridize with complementary mRNA sequences to prevent translation.