Bioinformatics glossary - Z

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Bioinformatics glossary - Z




Z-DNA

A conformation of DNA existing as a left-handed double helix (the phosphate-sugar backbone forms a left-handed zig-zag course), which may play a role in gene regulation.

Zinc fingers
A protein motif formed by the interaction of repeated cysteine and histidine residues with a zinc ion. The spacing of the repeats results in finger like arrangements of the protein loops formed from the interaction which interact with DNA. These motifs are typically found in transcription factors.