ZINC FINGER Meaning and
Definition
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A zinc finger is a structural motif found in proteins that typically plays a crucial role in DNA or RNA binding. It gets its name from the presence of a zinc ion, coordinated by two cysteine and two histidine residues that form a finger-like structure. Zinc finger proteins are characterized by the presence of one or more zinc finger domains within their amino acid sequence.
In DNA-binding zinc finger proteins, each zinc finger domain usually consists of about 25 amino acids. These domains typically fold into a compact structure stabilized by the coordination of a zinc ion, resulting in the formation of a finger-like projection. The zinc finger domain interacts with specific nucleotide sequences in DNA, thereby allowing the protein to bind to and regulate the activity of particular genes.
Zinc finger proteins are involved in a wide range of cellular processes, including gene expression regulation, protein-protein interactions, signal transduction, DNA repair, and development. They exhibit significant diversity in structure and function, with variations in the number and arrangement of zinc finger domains, as well as their specific sequence recognition properties.
Given their functional versatility and ability to recognize specific DNA or RNA sequences, zinc finger proteins have attracted considerable attention in biotechnology and gene therapy. Researchers have developed methods to design artificial zinc finger proteins that can be targeted to specific gene sequences, enabling the manipulation of gene expression and potentially treating genetic diseases.
Common Misspellings for ZINC FINGER
- xinc finger
- sinc finger
- ainc finger
- zunc finger
- zjnc finger
- zknc finger
- zonc finger
- z9nc finger
- z8nc finger
- zibc finger
- zimc finger
- zijc finger
- zihc finger
- zinx finger
- zinv finger
- zinf finger
- zind finger
- zinc dinger
- zinc cinger
- zinc vinger
Etymology of ZINC FINGER
The term "Zinc Finger" has a relatively straightforward etymology. It is derived from the combination of two elements: "zinc" and "finger".
- Zinc: Zinc refers to the chemical element with the atomic number 30 and is denoted by the symbol "Zn". It is a bluish-white metal that is often used in the production of alloys and as a protective coating for other metals. Zinc plays a vital role in various biological processes within the human body and is a crucial component of many proteins.
- Finger: The term "finger" refers to the digit of the hand, specifically the appendages found at the end of the human arm. Here, it is used metaphorically to describe a structural element or feature of a protein that resembles, or is in some way analogous to, a finger.
When combined, "Zinc Finger" is used to describe a structural motif found in certain proteins.
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