homeotic gene

ho·me·ot·ic gene

H5261600 (hō′mē-ŏt′ĭk)n. Any of various genes that determine the type or location of a body part during an organism's development, especially in the early embryonic development of vertebrates.

[Greek homoiōsis, a being made like, resemblance, from homoioun, to make like, from homoios, like; see homeo-.]

Thesaurus

Noun

homeotic gene - one the genes that are involved in embryologic developmentcistron, gene, factor - (genetics) a segment of DNA that is involved in producing a polypeptide chain; it can include regions preceding and following the coding DNA as well as introns between the exons; it is considered a unit of heredity; "genes were formerly called factors"homeobox, homeobox gene - one of various similar homeotic genes that are involved in bodily segmentation during embryonic development

homeotic gene

(hō′mē-ŏt′ĭk)n. Any of various genes that determine the type or location of a body part during an organism's development, especially in the early embryonic development of vertebrates.

homeotic gene

one of a group of genes involved in DEVELOPMENT and DIFFERENTIATION, controlling the formation of whole organisms or body parts in animals and plants. Homeotic genes contain the homeobox, which encodes a PROTEIN DOMAIN that is capable of binding to DNA. Each homeotic gene regulates EXPRESSION of a set of other genes that direct development of a body part, such as an insect wing, antenna, leg. A TRANSCRIPTION factor, specified by the homeotic gene, binds to the PROMOTER of the set of genes that encodes the specific structure.

Many organisms have similar sets of homeotic genes. Dysfunction of these genes can result in developmental abnormalities.

homeotic gene

ho·me·ot·ic gene

homeotic gene

homeotic gene

homeotic gene

homeotic gene

Words related to homeotic gene

noun one the genes that are involved in embryologic development

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