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repressor

American  
[ri-pres-er] / rɪˈprɛs ər /

noun

  1. represser.

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


repressor British  
/ rɪˈprɛsə /

noun

  1. 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

repressor Scientific  
/ rĭ-prĕsər /
  1. A protein that binds to an operator, blocking transcription of an operon and the enzymes for which the operon codes.


Etymology

Origin of repressor

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The repressor will bind the operator in the presence of lactose.

From Textbooks Jun. 9, 2022

When tryptophan is not present in the cell, the repressor by itself does not bind to the operator; therefore, the operon is active and tryptophan is synthesized.

From Textbooks Jun. 9, 2022

The repressor binds to the operator, and RNA synthesis is blocked.

From Textbooks Jun. 9, 2022

The repressor will not bind the operator in the presence of lactose.

From Textbooks Jun. 9, 2022

In 1966, Walter Gilbert and Benno Muller-Hill isolated the repressor protein from bacterial cells—thereby proving Monod’s operon hypothesis beyond doubt.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

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