GENE REARRANGEMENT Meaning and
Definition
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Gene rearrangement refers to the process of rearranging genetic material within an organism's genome. It involves the shifting, deletion, duplication, inversion, or translocation of genetic segments or entire genes, which leads to modifications in the organization or structure of the DNA sequence.
In the context of molecular biology, gene rearrangement often occurs during the development of immune cells, such as B and T lymphocytes, to generate a diverse repertoire of antigen receptors. This process, known as V(D)J recombination, involves the rearrangement of gene segments responsible for encoding the variable regions of these receptors. Through gene rearrangement, different combinations of gene segments are randomly selected and joined together, resulting in the generation of unique receptor molecules capable of recognizing a broad range of antigens.
Gene rearrangement can also occur as a result of genetic abnormalities or mutations, leading to diseases such as cancer. In cancer cells, gene rearrangements can cause the activation of oncogenes or the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes, disrupting the normal regulation of cell growth and division. These rearrangements can arise due to errors during DNA replication, exposure to mutagenic agents, or errors in DNA repair processes.
Overall, gene rearrangement is a fundamental biological process involved in generating genetic diversity, immune response, and disease development. Understanding the mechanisms and consequences of gene rearrangements is crucial for deciphering the complexities of genetic regulation, evolution, and human health.
Common Misspellings for GENE REARRANGEMENT
- fene rearrangement
- vene rearrangement
- bene rearrangement
- hene rearrangement
- yene rearrangement
- tene rearrangement
- gwne rearrangement
- gsne rearrangement
- gdne rearrangement
- grne rearrangement
- g4ne rearrangement
- g3ne rearrangement
- gebe rearrangement
- geme rearrangement
- geje rearrangement
- gehe rearrangement
- genw rearrangement
- gens rearrangement
- gend rearrangement
- genr rearrangement
Etymology of GENE REARRANGEMENT
The word "gene rearrangement" consists of two parts: "gene" and "rearrangement".
The term "gene" originated from the German word "Gen", which was coined by Danish monk and botanist Johann Gregor Mendel in the mid-19th century. Mendel used the term "Gen" to describe the factors responsible for the inheritance of traits in pea plants. The word "gene" then spread into the English language and became widely used in the field of genetics.
The term "rearrangement" comes from the verb "rearrange", which dates back to the late 18th century. It is a combination of the prefix "re-", meaning "again" or "back", and the word "arrange", meaning to put things in a particular order or position.
