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intron Definition

in·tron (inträn′)

noun

an intervening sequence in the eukaryote genetic code, interrupting protein formation

Etymology: coined (1978) by W. Gilbert (1932-), U.S. molecular biologist < intra- (because within the gene) + -on, as in operon

intron Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • gene: Searching for annotations that overlap one another, for example, finding all genes that are in an intron of another gene.

Adjective modifier

  • cryptic: The cryptic intron contains sequences similar to those required for recognition of normal plant introns.
  • second: Most PEPc kinase genes contain a single conserved intron but solanaceous plants have one unusual PEPc kinase gene with a second intron.
  • large: The detailed view at the bottom reveals that the FOXP2 gene contains a number of very small exons and one very large intron.

Modifies a noun

  • sequence: Three other patients showed skipping of exon 5 caused by insertion of an Alu repeat into the preceding intron sequence.
  • database: The intron database can be searched for patterns near the splice junctions.
  • splice: The file consists of pairs of 5 ' and 3 ' intron splice sites.
  • position: It has been shown that both the exon sequences and the intron positions of this gene are highly conserved over seed plant evolution.
  • site: The file consists of pairs of 5 ' and 3 ' intron splice sites.

Noun used with modifier

  • I: Explosive invasion of plant mitochondria by a group I intron.
  • group: Explosive invasion of plant mitochondria by a group I intron.
  • plant: Often, a plant intron is introduced into the code for the bacterial enzyme to enhance transport of the message from nucleus to cytoplasm.