supercoil

supercoil
su·per·coil 'sü-pər-.kȯi(ə)l n a double helix (as of DNA) that has undergone additional twisting in the same direction as or in the opposite direction from the turns in the original helix called also superhelix
supercoil vb

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su·per·coil (sooґpər-koil) 1. a tertiary conformation characteristic of a DNA molecule with constrained ends, as a circular plasmid or closed loops of DNA in a chromosome; the molecule is over- or underwound, with the axis of the helix twisted upon itself. In negatively supercoiled DNA, the DNA axis twists in the direction opposite that of the normal helical turns, causing underwinding of the helix, while in positively supercoiled DNA, the DNA axis twists with the direction of the normal helical turns, causing overwinding. Supercoiling plays a role in a variety of processes, including replication, transcription, and recombination. Called also superhelix. 2. to form such a tertiary structure.

(A), Positively supercoiled DNA; (B), relaxed circle; (C), negatively supercoiled DNA.


Medical dictionary. 2011.

Look at other dictionaries:

  • supercoil — supercoil. См. суперспираль. (Источник: «Англо русский толковый словарь генетических терминов». Арефьев В.А., Лисовенко Л.А., Москва: Изд во ВНИРО, 1995 г.) …   Молекулярная биология и генетика. Толковый словарь.

  • Supercoil — Supercoiling eines ringförmigen DNA Moleküls Supercoiled Struktur eines linearen DNA Moleküls …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • supercoil — The conformation of a double stranded DNA molecule placed under torsional stress as a result of interactions with proteins. The stress is accommodated by a twist imposed on the duplex. A left handed supercoil favours unwinding of the double… …   Glossary of Biotechnology

  • supercoil — noun Date: 1965 a double helix (as of DNA) that has undergone additional twisting in the same or in the opposite direction as the turns in the original helix • supercoil verb …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • supercoil — 1. noun A coil of the DNA helix upon itself, such as a figure eight. See Also: supercoiling 2. verb To twist circular DNA into a supercoil …   Wiktionary

  • supercoil — ˈsüpə(r)ˌ noun Etymology: super + coil (III) : a double helix (as of DNA) that has undergone additional twisting either in the same or in the opposite direction as the turns in the original helix • supercoil ¦süpə(r)ˌ verb …   Useful english dictionary

  • supercoil — supercoiled, adj. /sooh peuhr koyl /, n. Biochem. superhelix. [1965 70; SUPER + COIL1] * * * …   Universalium

  • supercoil — su·per·coil …   English syllables

  • supercoil — su•per•coil [[t]ˈsu pərˌkɔɪl[/t]] n. biochem. gen a twist formed by intertwining strands of DNA or by protein chains • Etymology: 1965–70 su′per•coiled , adj …   From formal English to slang

  • DNA supercoil — Supercoiled structure of circular DNA molecules with low writhe. Note that the helical nature of the DNA duplex is omitted for clarity …   Wikipedia

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