corepressor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Very Low Frequency)Technical/Scientific (Specialist)
Quick answer
What does “corepressor” mean?
In molecular biology: a molecule that binds to a repressor protein, enabling it to inhibit gene transcription.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In molecular biology: a molecule that binds to a repressor protein, enabling it to inhibit gene transcription.
Any substance or molecule that works in conjunction with another to suppress or inhibit a biological process, primarily in the context of gene regulation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or spelling differences. The term is identical in both varieties.
Connotations
No difference in connotation. Purely denotative scientific term.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties, confined entirely to molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry literature.
Grammar
How to Use “corepressor” in a Sentence
The [SUBSTANCE] acts as a corepressor for the [REPRESSOR PROTEIN].A corepressor binds to and activates the [REPRESSOR].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “corepressor” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The molecule is hypothesised to corepress transcription. (Rare/Non-standard technical use)
American English
- The metabolite may corepress the operon. (Rare/Non-standard technical use)
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The corepressor function was analysed. (Attributive noun use)
American English
- Corepressor activity was assayed. (Attributive noun use)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Exclusively used in life sciences research papers, textbooks, and lectures on genetics and molecular biology.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
The primary context. Used to describe specific molecular mechanisms in gene regulation pathways.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “corepressor”
- Misspelling as 'co-repressor' with a hyphen (though sometimes accepted) or 'corepresser'.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to corepress').
- Confusing it with 'repressor', which is the main protein it assists.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly specialised term used only in molecular biology and related fields. It is extremely rare in general language.
Standard usage is as a noun. Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to corepress') is non-standard and very rare, even in technical writing. Writers typically use phrases like 'act as a corepressor for' or 'function in corepression'.
A repressor is a protein that can bind to DNA to inhibit gene transcription. A corepressor is a molecule (often not a protein itself) that must bind to the repressor protein to enable it to function. The repressor is the primary actor; the corepressor is its necessary helper.
Yes. In molecular biology, tryptophan in the E. coli trp operon is a classic example. Tryptophan binds to the trp repressor protein, activating it to block transcription of genes involved in tryptophan synthesis.
In molecular biology: a molecule that binds to a repressor protein, enabling it to inhibit gene transcription.
Corepressor is usually technical/scientific (specialist) in register.
Corepressor: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkəʊ.rɪˈprɛs.ə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkoʊ.rɪˈprɛs.ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think CO-worker + rePRESSOR. A co-worker helps the main repressor protein do its job of pressing down (repressing) gene activity.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A (Literal technical term).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary role of a corepressor?