MONOCISTRONIC Meaning and
Definition
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Monocistronic is an adjective used in molecular biology and genetics, particularly in the field of gene expression and translation. It describes a type of messenger RNA (mRNA) that encodes a single polypeptide chain. In simpler terms, it refers to a gene or mRNA molecule that carries the information necessary to synthesize only one specific protein.
In eukaryotes, such as humans, most genes are monocistronic, meaning they consist of one continuous coding region that is typically flanked by specific non-coding sequences called untranslated regions (UTRs). The UTRs play essential roles in gene regulation and protein synthesis. Monocistronic mRNA molecules are usually transcribed and processed into a mature form before they are translated into a protein through a process known as translation.
On the other hand, prokaryotes, such as bacteria, often have polycistronic mRNA, which means that a single mRNA molecule can code for multiple proteins. This is achieved through the presence of multiple coding regions, or open reading frames (ORFs), that are usually separated by short spacer sequences called intergenic regions.
Understanding whether a gene or mRNA is monocistronic or polycistronic is crucial in deciphering the functions and regulation of genes, as well as identifying the relationship between genes and the proteins they encode. The concept of monocistronic gene expression provides important insights into the complexity of gene regulation and protein synthesis, and contributes to the overall understanding of molecular biology.
Etymology of MONOCISTRONIC
The word "monocistronic" comes from the combination of two Greek roots: "mono" and "cistron".
The prefix "mono-" means "one" or "single" in Greek. It is commonly used in English to indicate the number "one", as in words like "monopoly" (one seller), "monochrome" (one color), or "monoplane" (an aircraft with a single pair of wings).
The term "cistron" comes from the Greek word "kistron", which means "small box" or "chest". In genetics, a cistron refers to the portion of a DNA molecule that is responsible for producing a particular polypeptide or protein. It can be considered as a unit of genetic information.
