-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
repressor
noun
re·pres·sor
ri-ˈpre-sər
: one that represses
especially
: a protein that is determined by a regulatory gene, binds to a genetic operator, and inhibits the initiation of transcription of messenger RNA
Examples of repressor in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
And each of those repressors can specifically repress the next repressor in the circuit.
—Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 8 Mar. 2023
In their construction, the first gene produced a repressor protein, LacI, which would shut off the second gene, called tetR, whose product would shut off the third gene, cI, whose product would shut off the first gene.
—Adam Mann, Discover Magazine, 25 Mar. 2020
Once all the cells in the plant have turned off their repressor gene, buds begin to form, usually just in time for the spring heat to spur new growth.
—Jonathan Kauffman, Bon Appétit, 13 Apr. 2022
Netanyahu is on trial for corruption and heads a state that is widely seen as a repressor of Palestinian rights.
—Tracy Wilkinson Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2021
The researchers enhanced this silencing effect by hitching Cas9 to a repressor, another protein that inhibits gene expression.
—Kelly Servick, Science | AAAS, 10 Mar. 2021
But no one had identified a full activator-repressor system involved in periodic pigmentation patterns.
—Elizabeth Pennisi, Science | AAAS, 29 Aug. 2019
The cycle at the center of it—from gene activators to repressors and back—is highly regulated.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 2 Oct. 2017
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Word History
Etymology
New Latin
First Known Use
1584, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near repressor
Cite this Entry
“Repressor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repressor. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
repressor
noun
re·pres·sor
ri-ˈpres-ər
: one that represses
especially
: a protein that keeps a special region of a chromosome from acting to start the manufacture of messenger RNA
Medical Definition
repressor
noun
re·pres·sor
ri-ˈpres-ər
: one that represses
especially
: a protein that is determined by a regulatory gene, binds to a genetic operator, and inhibits the initiation of transcription of messenger RNA
More from Merriam-Webster on repressor
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about repressor
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share