inosine

noun

ino·​sine ˈi-nə-ˌsēn  ˈī- 

-sən

: a nucleoside C₁₀H₁₂N₄O₅ that is composed of hypoxanthine and ribose, that in the form of its monophosphate is a biosynthetic precursor of both AMP and its guanosine analog, and that binds to adenine, cytosine, or uracil especially in some transfer RNAs compare poly i entry c

Examples of inosine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These proteins bind to RNAs and alter their sequence by changing a familiar base known as adenosine into a molecule called inosine. —Sara Reardon, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2020

Although not one of the canonical RNA bases, inosine is read by the cell’s protein-translation machinery as the familiar guanosine. —Sara Reardon, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2020

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary inosinic acid (the acid C₁₀H₁₃N₄O₈P; inosinic, from Greek in-, is sinew + International Scientific Vocabulary -ose entry 2 + -in entry 1 + -ic entry 1) + -ine entry 2

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

inosine

noun

ino·​sine ˈin-ə-ˌsēn  ˈī-nə- 

-sən

: a crystalline nucleoside C₁₀H₁₂N₄O₅ that is composed of hypoxanthine and ribose, that in the form of its monophosphate is a biosynthetic precursor of both AMP and its guanosine analog, and that binds to adenine, cytosine, or uracil especially in some transfer RNAs