Definition
noun, plural: promoters
(chemistry) A substance that is capable of increasing the activity of a catalyst to increase the rate of reaction.
(chemistry) A chemical that is supposed to promote carcinogenicity or mutagenicity.
(genetics) A site in a DNA molecule at which RNA polymerase and transcription factors bind to initiate transcription of mRNA.
Supplement
The site is actually specific DNA sequences that are recognized by transcription factors, which recruit RNA polymerase at the site.
In the Operon Model, the promoter is the gene segment that serves as the initiation site where RNA polymerase binds to and initiates the transcription of certain genes. Conversely, in the presence of a repressor protein, this segment binds with the repressor. Because of this, the RNA polymerase cannot bind to it, resulting in the prevention of transcription of genes. And, this segment is now referred to as the operator gene.
Word origin: promote » Middle English promoten, from Old French promoter, from Latin prōmovēre, prōmōt– : prō-, forward + –er.
Related terms:
- constituative promoter
- down promoter mutation
- promoter insertion
- promoter regions
