TRIPLET REPEAT Meaning and
Definition
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Triplet repeat refers to a specific type of genetic mutation characterized by the abnormal repetition of a sequence of three nucleotides in a DNA molecule. The nucleotides, typically adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), or guanine (G), are repeated multiple times in a row within a specific gene.
Triplet repeat expansions often result in certain genetic disorders referred to as repeat expansion diseases. These diseases are caused by the excessive replication of a particular triplet sequence, which can disrupt the normal functioning of the associated gene. The number of repeated triplets in affected individuals is higher than what is typically found in the general population, and the severity of the disorder tends to correlate with the extent of the repeat expansion.
These mutations can lead to a diverse range of disorders, including but not limited to Huntington's disease, fragile X syndrome, myotonic dystrophy, spinocerebellar ataxias, and certain forms of muscular dystrophy. The mechanisms by which the triplet repeat expansions cause disease are still not completely understood, but they may interfere with gene regulation, protein synthesis, or normal cellular processes.
Triplet repeat expansions can be inherited from one generation to the next, with the number of repeats often increasing in severity as it is passed down. The variability in the number of triplet repeats within affected individuals and the tendency for the repeats to expand in successive generations make understanding and managing triplet repeat disorders a complex challenge for medical researchers and clinicians.
Common Misspellings for TRIPLET REPEAT
- rriplet repeat
- friplet repeat
- griplet repeat
- yriplet repeat
- 6riplet repeat
- 5riplet repeat
- teiplet repeat
- tdiplet repeat
- tfiplet repeat
- ttiplet repeat
- t5iplet repeat
- t4iplet repeat
- truplet repeat
- trjplet repeat
- trkplet repeat
- troplet repeat
- tr9plet repeat
- tr8plet repeat
- triolet repeat
- trillet repeat
Etymology of TRIPLET REPEAT
The word "Triplet Repeat" can be broken down into two parts: "triplet" and "repeat".
- Triplet: In this context, a "triplet" refers to a sequence of three nucleotides (adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), or cytosine (C)) that forms a unit of DNA. In genetics, the term "triplet" is commonly used to describe codons, which are specific sequences of three nucleotides that code for a particular amino acid.
- Repeat: In genetics, a "repeat" refers to a sequence of DNA that is repeated multiple times in a row. These repetitive sequences are present naturally in the genome and can vary in length and location.
Therefore, "Triplet Repeat" refers to a specific type of repetition in which a sequence of three nucleotides is repeated multiple times consecutively in a DNA molecule.
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