Dictionary > Resolvase

Resolvase

Definition
noun, plural: resolvases
Site-specific recombinase known for its function which is to repress transposases
Supplement
Transposition is the process of transferring genes from one site of chromosome to another of the same or different genome. It accounts for the transferring of virulence or antibiotic resistance among bacteria.1 It involves transposons (also known as jumping genes) since these genes are capable of being copied and inserted from one genome to another. Transposons may be simple or complex. Both simple and complex transposons have genes that code for transposase, which is an enzyme that catalyzes gene insertion. The complex type of transposon has a more complicated gene structure and an example of it is the Tn3. This transposon does not only bear the gene coding for beta-lactamase enzyme that confers ampicillin resistance and the gene for coding transposase (specifically called tnpA) but it also has the gene (called tnpR) coding for resolvase.2 Resolvase is an enzyme known for its repressive function against transposases.
See also:

Reference(s):

1 Reznikoff, William S. (2003). “Tn5 as a model for understanding DNA transposition”. Molecular Microbiology 47 (5): 1199–1206.

2 Malacinski, G. (2003). Essentials of molecular biology. Boston: Jones and Bartlett.


You will also like...

Photosynthesis and respiration
Plant Metabolism

Plants are responsible for incredible feats of molecular transformation. Plant processes, such as photosynthesis, photop..

Still Water Animals
Still Water Animals

Animals living in aquatic habitats have diversified and evolved through time. They eventually occupy ecological niches a..

Flowers and tiny fruits of the pomegranate plant
Fruits, Flowers, and Seeds

This tutorial deals with the structure and function of flowers, fruits, and seeds. Also included here are the types of f..

The process of photosynthesis
Photosynthesis – Photolysis and Carbon Fixation

Photosynthesis is the process that plants undertake to create organic materials from carbon dioxide and water, with the ..

Adaptation Tutorial
Adaptation Tutorial

Adaptation, in biology and ecology, refers to the process or trait through which organisms or the populations in a habit..

Neural Control Mechanisms
Neural Control Mechanisms

Neurons generate electric signals that they pass along to the other neurons or target tissues. In this tutorial, you wil..

Related Articles...

No related articles found

See all Related Topics