minus strand of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minus strand of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in scientific contexts, particularly in molecular biology, to refer to one of the two strands of DNA or RNA that is complementary to the coding strand. Example: "The virus replicates by using the minus strand of its RNA as a template for synthesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Using this technique, two TALEN proteins must bind to the plus and minus strand of DNA to create a FokI heterodimer and form a double-stranded break.

ACS Synthetic Biology

These motifs were highly represented in the promoters of the plus or minus strand of the 12 defense-related genes.

Rice

Another example is CDR1as circRNA, which is derived from the minus strand of CDR1 gene and transcribed at opposite direction (Hansen et al., 2011).

Protein & Cell

The dinucleotide composition of the minus strand of the HBV segment analysed is 20.5% TpC, 31.9% CpC, 25.0% GpC and 22.7% ApC.

Plosone

Second, hairpins of antisense copies of the TE-MIRs located elsewhere in the genome may give rise to sRNAs that match minus strand of the corresponding TE-MIRs.

Plosone

Using 3' RACE we identified the 3' ends of independent RNA transcripts on the minus strand of Chr14a and Chr14b regions, respectively (Figure S6B).

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Oligonucleotides complementary to 5′ and 3′ ends of the fragment encoding Kanr were used for initiating nucleotide sequencing from the plus and minus strands of pSP70, and thereafter primer walking was used to determine nucleotide sequence of pSP70.

Veterinary Microbiology

Although 1,633 Solexa sequences map to the plus strands of 147 VSPs, only 133 sequences map to the minus strands of 69 VSPs.

Genome Biology and Evolution

These elements were found in both plus and minus strands of the chromosome and they showed a quite even distribution along the chromosome.

BMC Genomics

Since Conservation Plot does not consider strand information, sites belonging to the plus and minus strands of individual chromosomes were separated before conservation analysis, and then the minus strand results were reversed and averaged with the plus strand results.

Cell Research

Analysis of our Solexa sequencing results reveal unequal frequencies of matching reads on the sense and antisense strands of Gireps, as shown in table 2. (i.e., the numbers of Solexa short-reads matching to the plus and minus strands of Gireps are uneven).

Genome Biology and Evolution

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about genetics or molecular biology, ensure that you use the term "minus strand of" consistently with its technical definition to avoid confusion. Always clarify the context (DNA or RNA) if it is not immediately apparent.

Common error

A common error is to confuse the 5' and 3' ends when discussing the "minus strand of" DNA or RNA. Always double-check the directionality to ensure your description is accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minus strand of" functions as a descriptive noun phrase in molecular biology. It specifies a particular strand of DNA or RNA, indicating its role as the template for replication or transcription. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

100%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "minus strand of" is a common and correct term in molecular biology used to describe the template strand of DNA or RNA. Ludwig AI confirms this, showcasing its frequent appearance in scientific literature. This strand is crucial for replication and transcription processes. Alternatives include "negative strand of" or "antisense strand of", each carrying a slightly different emphasis but maintaining the core meaning. Understanding the context and directionality is key to using the phrase accurately. Keep in mind that this specific word is associated with formal and scientific register. Ensure its usage aligns with its technical definition to maintain clarity and precision in scientific writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

negative strand of

Replaces "minus" with its direct synonym "negative", maintaining the exact meaning.

antisense strand of

Uses the term "antisense", which is often used interchangeably with "minus" in the context of DNA and RNA strands.

non-coding strand of

Emphasizes the non-coding nature of the minus strand, which is its key feature in relation to the coding strand.

template strand of

Highlights the role of the minus strand as a template for replication or transcription.

complementary strand of

Focuses on the fact that the minus strand is complementary to the coding strand.

reverse complement of

More technically specific, referring to the sequence that is both reversed and complemented.

opposite strand of

A more general term indicating the strand that runs in the opposite direction.

3' to 5' strand of

Describes the directionality of the strand, relevant in molecular biology contexts.

the other strand of

A simplified way to refer to the counterpart strand without specifying its properties.

transcribed strand of

Focuses on the function of the minus strand as the one being transcribed during gene expression.

FAQs

What does the term "minus strand of" refer to in genetics?

In genetics, the "minus strand of" DNA or RNA typically refers to the template strand, also known as the antisense or non-coding strand. It serves as a template for mRNA synthesis.

Can I use "negative strand of" instead of "minus strand of"?

Yes, "negative strand of" is often used as a synonym for "minus strand of", particularly in virology. Both terms refer to the same concept: the non-coding strand of a nucleic acid sequence.

What is the significance of the "minus strand of" in viral replication?

In many RNA viruses, the "minus strand of" RNA serves as a template for synthesizing the positive-sense RNA, which can then be translated into viral proteins.

How does the "minus strand of" relate to the coding strand?

The "minus strand of" is complementary to the coding strand (also known as the sense strand). The coding strand has the same sequence as the mRNA (except for T/U differences), while the "minus strand of" is used as the template for mRNA synthesis.