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knockdown

knockdown

1 9.3
A lab method that lowers a gene's activity to show what the gene does
  • noun
  • /ˈnɑkˌdaʊn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : reducción
  • We observed a dramatic decrease in angiogenic potential in COX-2 knockdown cells (Figure 5B).
  • MAP2 knockdown
  • KEAP1 knockdown
  • knockdown neurons

Examples

  • In their experiment, they induced a knockdown to analyze the role of the protein in cell signaling pathways.

  • Conversely, knockdown of HIF-1 decreased PGE2 concentration with hypoxic treatment (Figure 4C).

    Academic text (2014)
  • We compared the signal level in control and KEAP1-knockdown cells.

    Academic text (2016)
  • We used KEAP1 knockdown to increase the NRF2 signal in NSCs.

    Academic text (2016)
  • Another class of payload that holds promise is small interfering RNA (siRNA) for gene-specific knockdown.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Furthermore, knockdown of PCGEM or PRNCR1 abolished DHT-induced gene expressions and inhibited cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Researchers used gene-specific knockdown to reduce the expression of the targeted gene and observe the effects.

  • The scientists achieved a successful knockdown of the gene, allowing them to study its function in detail.

Synonyms

downregulation
vsknockdown
  • Specialized
1 7.7

A process that lowers the amount or activity of things like cells and receptors to reduce a response

is an experimental reduction of a gene's expression to study its function

Antonyms

1.0

To make something larger or more in number

44 4.1

To make something larger, stronger, or more important

Compounds

1 9.7

A very violent and long fight or argument

How Reduced

knockout
  • Specialized
4 7.5
knockdown
  • Specialized
1 9.3

Surface Forms

knockdown singular
knockdowns plural

Morphology

knockdown = knock + down (semi-transparent) = knock + down

Built from 'knock' + 'down' with a metaphorical extension to mean 'reduce or disable (gene expression)'; the linkage is logical but domain-specific and may not be obvious to average learners.

Etymology

Knockdown in biology comes from the parts knock 'to hit' and down 'to lower', and a helpful image is scientists 'pushing down' a gene to lower its activity so they can study what it does.