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gene conversion
noun
: a genetic process that involves nonreciprocal meiotic recombination in heterozygotes in which a mismatched DNA sequence from one heteroduplex DNA strand is replaced with a sequence complementary to the other strand resulting in aberrant gametic ratios (such as 3:1) and that is observed especially in ascomycetous fungi
Examples of gene conversion in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The two primary answers put forth in this paper seem to be gene conversion and horizontal gene transfer (e.g., from bacteria via viruses).
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 22 July 2013
In the gene conversion process presumably deleterious alleles are simply reverted back to the wild state.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 22 July 2013
Their new experiments suggest that embryos borrow DNA templates from themselves to make repairs—a process called gene conversion—up to 40 percent of the time.
—Megan Molteni, Wired, 29 Oct. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gene conversion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1955, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near gene conversion
Cite this Entry
“Gene conversion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gene%20conversion. Accessed 12 Oct. 2024.
Medical Definition
gene conversion
noun
: a genetic process that is sometimes associated with meiotic recombination in heterozygotes if heteroduplex DNA is formed, that involves the selective enzymatic excision of a mismatched DNA sequence from one heteroduplex strand and replacement with a nucleotide sequence complementary to the other strand so that the two DNA strands are genetically identical, and that results in aberrant gametic ratios (as 3:1 or 1:3 instead of 2:2)
More from Merriam-Webster on gene conversion
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gene conversion
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