ribonuclease
Definition
Noun: A type of enzyme (specifically, a transferase) that catalyzes the hydrolysis of ribonucleic acid (RNA). It breaks down RNA molecules by cleaving the phosphodiester bonds between nucleotides.
Usage
This is a specialized scientific term used primarily in biochemistry, molecular biology, and genetics. * Ribonuclease activity is crucial for regulating gene expression and RNA turnover within a cell. * Researchers added ribonuclease to the sample to degrade any contaminating RNA. * The stability of messenger RNA is controlled by cellular ribonucleases.
Advanced Usage
- Ribonuclease protection assay: A laboratory technique used to detect and quantify specific RNA molecules by using enzymes to digest unhybridized, single-stranded RNA.
- Pancreatic ribonuclease: A well-studied form of the enzyme, originally isolated from the pancreas of cows.
Variants and Related Words
- RNase: The common abbreviation for .
- Ribonucleic acid (RNA): The nucleic acid polymer that acts upon.
- Deoxyribonuclease (DNase): A related enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of DNA.
- Nuclease: The general term for enzymes that cleave nucleic acids (including both ribonucleases and deoxyribonucleases).
Synonyms
- RNase
- RNAase
Notes on Meaning
This term has a single, precise meaning in scientific contexts. It does not have common idiomatic or phrasal verb uses.
Noun
-
a transferase that catalyzes the hydrolysis of ribonucleic acid
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