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Glite Dictionary
ribonucleoprotein

ribonucleoprotein

1 8.0
A complex of RNA and protein found in cells or viruses
  • noun
  • /ˌraɪboʊˌnjuːkliˈproʊtiːn/
  • Specialized
: ribonucleoproteína
  • The ribonucleoprotein complex is essential for synthesizing proteins in the cell nucleus.

Examples

  • Scientists studied the ribonucleoprotein associated with the influenza virus to understand its infectivity.

  • Researchers discovered a new ribonucleoprotein that plays a critical role in viral replication.

  • Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein complex that keeps the ends of replicating chromosomes from shrinking in continually dividing cells, such as those in the germline and in highly proliferative tissues.

    Academic text (1998)

  • Chromosomes keep from shrinking in some cells, including cancer cells, thanks to telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein with three components: a catalytic protein portion with reverse transcriptase activity, an RNA template, and an associated protein called telomeric repeat binding factor.

    Academic text (1998)

Surface Forms

ribonucleoprotein singular
ribonucleoproteins plural

Morphology

ribonucleoprotein = nucleoprotein (semi-transparent) = ribo + nucleo + protein

The word is a straightforward scientific combination meaning 'ribo- (relating to ribonucleic acid) + nucleoprotein', but the combining forms are technical and may be unfamiliar to general learners.

Etymology

Ribonucleoprotein is made of parts that mean 'RNA' and 'protein': ribo- and nucleo- point to the RNA or the cell's 'nucleus', and protein is the same word we use for body 'protein'. So, a ribonucleoprotein is a molecule made of RNA and protein found in cells or viruses.