suppressor gene
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A suppressor gene is a specific type of gene that can inhibit or mask the observable expression (the phenotype) of another gene. It often functions by counteracting the effect of a mutation in a different gene, allowing a normal or near-normal trait to be expressed despite the presence of the mutant gene.
Usage
This term is used primarily in the fields of genetics, molecular biology, and medicine. It describes a gene's functional role in genetic regulation and mutation suppression. - The suppressor gene was identified as the factor restoring normal growth in the mutant yeast strain. - Researchers are studying how a specific suppressor gene can inhibit the development of certain hereditary cancers.
Examples
- The discovery of a suppressor gene that counteracts the faulty BRCA1 mutation offers a promising avenue for research.
- In their model, the phenotypic effect of the mutation was not visible due to the action of a powerful suppressor gene.
- Not all genetic mutations lead to disease; sometimes a suppressor gene can compensate for the defect.
Advanced Usage
- Genetic Suppression: This is the broader phenomenon where the phenotypic effect of one mutation is counteracted by a second mutation (which can be in the same gene, a different gene, or even a suppressor gene). A suppressor gene is a key player in this process.
- Tumor Suppressor Gene: This is a highly specific and critical subtype of suppressor gene. These genes protect a cell from progressing toward cancer. When a tumor suppressor gene is mutated, it can lose its suppressive function, potentially leading to uncontrolled cell growth.
- Example: The p53 gene is a well-known tumor suppressor gene.
Variants and Related Words
- Suppressor (noun): A general agent that suppresses or holds back an activity or process. (e.g., a noise suppressor, an immune suppressor).
- Suppression (noun): The act of suppressing.
- Suppressive (adjective): Having the ability to suppress.
Synonyms
- Inhibitor gene
- Suppressor (in a genetic context)
Notes
- The term is often written as suppressor gene, but the hyphenated form suppressor-gene is also sometimes seen, especially in older literature or when used as a compound modifier (e.g., "suppressor-gene activity").
- It is crucial to distinguish a general suppressor gene from the specific and more commonly referenced tumor suppressor gene. The latter is a subset of the former.
Noun
- a gene that suppresses the phenotypic expression of another gene (especially of a mutant gene)