N terminus

American  

Or N terminal

noun

Biochemistry.

1. the amino end of a protein molecule.

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Other Word Forms

• N-terminal adjective

Etymology

Origin of N terminus

Abbreviation for nitrogen or –NH 2

Example Sentences

For the surface versions, the peptide was attached at either the N terminus or the C terminus, a subtle difference that can influence how immune cells recognize and process it.

From Science Daily • Feb. 18, 2026

Each mRNA molecule is simultaneously translated by many ribosomes, all synthesizing protein in the same direction: reading the mRNA from 5' to 3' and synthesizing the polypeptide from the N terminus to the C terminus.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Sequence analysis shows that there is a large diversity in the lengths and sequence compositions of the N terminus and the extracellular loops.

From Nature • Feb. 13, 2013

It should be stressed, however, that the N terminus of the G protein interacts with the ICL2 and that the structure of ICL2 is crucial to this interaction.

From Nature • Feb. 13, 2013

The N terminus and ECL2 of rhodopsin fold into β-hairpin loops, and together they form a ‘lid’ for the ligand-binding pocket.

From Nature • Feb. 13, 2013