intron

American  

[in-tron] / ˈɪn trɒn /

noun

Genetics.

1. a noncoding segment in a length of DNA that interrupts a gene-coding sequence or nontranslated sequence, the corresponding segment being removed from the RNA copy before transcription.

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intron British  

/ ˈɪntrɒn /

noun

1. biochem a stretch of DNA that interrupts a gene and does not contribute to the specification of a protein Compare exon 2

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intron Scientific  

/ ĭn′trŏn /

1. A segment of a gene situated between exons that does not function in coding for protein synthesis. After transcription of a gene to messenger RNA, the transcriptions of introns are removed, and the exons are spliced together by enzymes before translation and assembly of amino acids into proteins.

2. Compare exon

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intron Cultural  

1. A stretch of DNA in a gene that does not code for proteins. In eukaryotes, introns in a given gene separate stretches of DNA that contain instructions for constructing proteins. (Compare exon.)

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Etymology

Origin of intron

1975–80; perhaps intr(o)- + -on ¹

Example Sentences

This discovery provides the strongest indication we have so far that spliceosomes could be able to reinsert an intron back into the genome in another location.

From Science Daily

Although it did not change a coding portion, the intron insertion, so the research team showed, influenced alternative splicing, something not seen before, to result in a variety of tail lengths.

From Science Daily

Non-coding 'intron' DNA can help yeast cells survive at times of stress.Credit:

From Nature

RNA molecules that are newly transcribed from DNA contain intron and exon sequences.

From Nature

Siebel, C. W. & Rio, D. C. Regulated splicing of the Drosophila P transposable element third intron in vitro: somatic repression.

From Nature