A heat-stable DNA polymerase isolated from the bacterium Therrnus aquaticus, used in PCR. (See Polymerase.)

An adenine- and thymine-rich promoter sequence located 25-30 bp upstream of a gene, which is the binding site of RNA polymerase.

The transforming region of DNA in the Ti plasmid of Agrobacterium tumefaciens

The end of a chromosome.

An RNA or single-stranded DNA molecule upon which a complementary nucleotide strand is synthesized

Any of three mRNA sequences (UGA, UAG, UAA) that do not code for an amino acid and thus signal the end of protein synthesis. Also known as stop codon. (See Codon.)

A DNA sequence that signals the end of transcription

An antibiotic that interferes with protein synthesis in prokaryotes.

An enzyme that allows a cell to utilize an alternate metabolic pathway for incorporating thymidine into DNA. Used as a selectable marker to identify transfected eukaryotic cells.

A giant plasmid of Agrobac- terium tumefaciens that is responsible for tumor formation in infected plants. Ti plasmids are used as vectors to introduce foreign DNA into plant cells.

See Environmental Protection Agency.

See Phenotype.

The partial of full coating of the nucleic acid of one virus with a coat protein of a differing virus. See Coat protein.

The process of creating a complementary RNA copy of DNA.

See Transduction.

The transfer of DNA sequences from one bacterium to another via lysogenic infection by a bacteriophage (transducing phage).

The uptake and expression of a foreign DNA sequence by cultured eukaryotic cells.

See T-DNA

See tRNA.

In prokaryotes, a cell that has been ge- netically altered through the uptake of foreign DNA. In higher eukaryotes, a cultured cell that has acquired a malignant phenotype. (See Transformation.)

In prokaryotes, the natural or induced uptake and expression of a foreign DNA sequence--typically a recombinant plasmid in experimental systems. In higher eukaryotes, the conversion of cultured cells to a malignant phenotype--typically through infection by a tumor virus or transfection with an oncogene. (See Transformant, Transformation efficiency.)

The number of bacterial cells that uptake and express plasmid DNA divided by the mass of plasmid used (in transformants/microgram). (See Transformation.)

A gene that upon transfection converts a previously immortalized cell to the malignant phenotype. (See Oncogene.)

See Transgenic

An organism in which a foreign DNA gene (a transgene) is incorporated into its genome early in de- velopment. The transgene is present in both somatic and germ cells, is expressed in one or more tissues, and is inherited by offspring in a Mendelian fashion. See Transgenic animal, Transgenic plant.

Genetically enginnered animal or offspring of genetically engineered animals. The transgenic animal usually contains material from at lease one unrelated organism, such as from a virus, plant, or other animal. See Transgenic.

Genetically engineered plant or offspring of genetically engineered plants. The transgenic plant usually contains material from at least one unrelated organisms, such as from a virus, animal, or other plant. See Transgenic.

In a chemical reaction, an unstable and high-energy configuration assumed by reactants on the way to making products. Enzymes are thought to bind and stabilize the transition state, thus lowering the energy of activation needed to drive the reaction to completion.

The process of converting the genetic infor- mation of an mRNA on ribosomes into a polypeptide. Transfer RNA molecules carry the appropriate amino acids to the ribosome, where they are joined by peptide bonds.

The movement or reciprocal exchange of large-chromosomal segments, typically between two different chromosomes.

See Transposon

The movement of a DNA segment within the genome of an organism.

A relatively small DNA segment that has the ability to move from one chromosomal position to another.

The class of small RNA molecules that transfer amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis. See Transfer RNA.

A proteolytic enzyme that hydrolyzes peptide bonds on the carboxyl side of the amino acids arginine and lysine.

The Toxic Substances Control Act. See Environmental Protection Agency.

See T-DNA.

A virus capable of transforming a cell to a malignant phenotype. (See Virus.)

See Ti plasmid.