repressor

[ ri-pres-er ]

/ rɪˈprɛs ər /

noun

Genetics. a protein that binds DNA at an operator site and thereby prevents transcription of one or more adjacent genes.

Nearby words

repressed, represser, repressible enzyme, repression, repressive, repressor, repressor gene, reprieval, reprieve, reprimand, reprint

Origin of repressor

From Latin, dating back to 1955–60; see origin at repress, -tor

Definition for repressor (2 of 2)

represser

or re·pres·sor

[ ri-pres-er ]

/ rɪˈprɛs ər /

noun

a person or thing that represses.

Origin of represser

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at repress, -er¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for repressor

In his principal work, the "Repressor of over much blaming of the Clergy," ed.
A Literary History of the English People|Jean Jules Jusserand

British Dictionary definitions for repressor

repressor

/ (rɪˈprɛsə) /

noun

biochem a protein synthesized under the control of a repressor gene, which has the capacity to bind to the operator gene and thereby shut off the expression of the structural genes of an operon

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for repressor

repressor

[ rĭ-prĕs′ər ]

n.

One that represses.

A protein, especially either of two proteins produced by regulatory genes, that blocks transcription of an operon.

Science definitions for repressor

repressor

[ rĭ-prĕs′ər ]

A protein that binds to an operator, blocking transcription of an operon and the enzymes for which the operon codes.