INTERCALATOR Meaning and
Definition
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An intercalator refers to a chemical compound or molecule that has the capacity to insert itself between the base pairs of DNA, causing structural alterations in the DNA double helix. This process is referred to as intercalation. Intercalators possess a planar or partially planar structure, allowing them to fit into the stacked base pairs of DNA helix, leading to the widening of the DNA strands. By disrupting the normal helical structure, intercalators can induce a variety of biological effects, including inhibition of DNA replication, transcription, and repair.
Intercalators are commonly utilized in various research fields, such as molecular biology, genetics, and drug development, to study the interaction between chemical agents and DNA. This powerful molecular interaction has also prompted the development of intercalator-based anticancer drugs. These drugs exploit the ability of intercalators to bind to DNA in cancer cells, thereby interfering with their replication and inducing cell death.
It is worth noting that not all intercalators have the same mechanism of action or biological effects. Some intercalators may even exhibit toxic or mutagenic properties. Therefore, careful consideration is required when selecting and utilizing intercalators in scientific experiments or clinical applications, as their effects can vary greatly depending on the specific compound and dosage.
Common Misspellings for INTERCALATOR
- untercalator
- jntercalator
- kntercalator
- ontercalator
- 9ntercalator
- 8ntercalator
- ibtercalator
- imtercalator
- ijtercalator
- ihtercalator
- inrercalator
- infercalator
- ingercalator
- inyercalator
- in6ercalator
- in5ercalator
- intwrcalator
- intsrcalator
- intdrcalator
- intrrcalator
Etymology of INTERCALATOR
The word "intercalator" is derived from the Latin term "intercalare", which means "to insert" or "to add". It is formed by combining the prefix "inter-", which indicates "between" or "among", and the verb "calare", meaning "to proclaim" or "to announce". In ancient Roman times, the intercalators were officials responsible for inserting an additional month into the lunar calendar to align it with the solar year. Over time, the term "intercalator" has come to be used in various scientific contexts, particularly in chemistry and molecular biology, to refer to substances or molecules that can insert themselves between the strands of DNA or RNA.
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