coding dna

Thân thiện

A scientist examines a diagram of coding DNA on a computer screen.

Definition

Noun 1. The sequence of nucleotides within a gene that directly specifies the amino acid sequence of a protein: This is the portion of a gene's DNA that is transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA) and then translated into a protein. It contrasts with non-coding DNA, which does not carry instructions for protein building.

Usage

• As a subject: "The coding DNA for this enzyme is highly conserved across species."
• As an object: "Scientists have identified the coding DNA responsible for the trait."
• With modifiers: "A mutation in the coding DNA can alter the protein's function."

Examples

• "The research focuses on comparing the coding DNA of healthy and diseased cells."
• "Only a small percentage of the human genome consists of coding DNA."
• "Sequencing the coding DNA is the first step in understanding the gene's product."

Advanced Usage

• In genetics and molecular biology: The term is used precisely to distinguish the protein-coding exons from introns (non-coding intervening sequences) within a gene. In a processed mRNA molecule, the sequence corresponds directly to the coding DNA (exons) after introns have been removed.
  • Example: "The gene's coding DNA is fragmented, with exons interspersed by long introns."

Variants and Related Words

• Exon (noun): A segment of a DNA or RNA molecule containing information coding for a protein or peptide sequence. Coding DNA is composed of exons.
• Non-coding DNA (noun): DNA sequences that do not code for proteins, which may include introns and regulatory regions.
• Coding sequence (CDS) (noun): A synonym often used in bioinformatics and genetics to refer to the portion of a gene's DNA or RNA that codes for protein.

Synonyms

• Coding sequence
• Exonic DNA

Notes on Meaning

• The term specifically refers to the DNA itself, not the resulting RNA or protein. It is the genomic blueprint for a protein.
• It is a technical term primarily used in genetics, genomics, and molecular biology.

Học thuật

Noun

1. sequence of a gene's DNA that transcribes into protein structures
   • exons are interspersed with introns

Từ đồng nghĩa

• exon
• coding DNA