Sequence motif

As the sequence motif at different locations (DNA ) or on different molecules (RNA and protein) is in biochemistry, a certain portion of a nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) or a protein called recurs and the biological importance is attached to. Often there is a certain variability in the sequence; in such cases it is useful to determine a consensus sequence. This defines the sequence less stringent because it allows alternatives in certain places.

Examples

DNA motif

An example of a DNA motif is the kappa B motif, whose consensus sequence has the following structure:

DNA is here shown from the 5'- to the 3'- end ( see nucleic acid nomenclature), wherein R is a purine nucleotide, pyrimidine nucleotide and Y is N for any nucleotide.

The motif kappa B is located in the regulatory sections of numerous genes and is recognized by the transcription factor NF -kB. A strengthened bond in the majority of cases, transcription -dependent genes.

Protein motif

There are numerous different protein motifs. An important feature of them is especially true in phosphorylation in signal transduction. To illustrate the subject of the amino acids commonly used one-letter or three-letter code is being used.