Skip to main content
upregulation

upregulation

1 7.9
An increase in the amount or activity of something, often in cells
  • noun
  • /ˌʌpˌrɛɡjʊˈleɪʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : aumento
  • During the experiment, researchers noted a significant upregulation of protein synthesis in the cells.

Examples

  • A negative mutual feedback loop between the expression of miRNA-101 and EZH2 was observed, wherein the inactivation of EZH2 caused the upregulation of miRNA-101.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Upregulation of ephrins during tumor progression is mediated by several mechanisms.

    Academic text (2003)
  • AGEs may also play a role in sarcopenia through upregulation of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in the microcirculation of skeletal muscle through the receptor for AGEs, or RAGE.

    Academic text (2017)
  • The scientist observed an upregulation of gene activity in response to the drug treatment.

  • The upregulation of growth factors was critical for the healing process after the injury.

Synonyms

step-up
vsupregulation
20 3.6

An increase in amount, level, or strength

is specific to biological or cellular contexts rather than general increases
heightening
vsupregulation
1 4.6

An increase in how strong or serious something becomes

is about raising amount level or activity rather than intensity
upsurgence
vsupregulation
8.4

A sudden rise in the number or amount of something

is a rise that does not imply sudden or rapid change

Antonyms

downregulation
  • Specialized
7.5

A way of reducing strong emotional or physical reactions to feel calmer

How Much

overexpression
  • Specialized
2 7.7
amplification
  • Specialized
8 5.3
upregulation
  • Specialized
1 7.9
increase
524 1.0
to rise
904 1.0

Surface Forms

upregulation singular
upregulations plural

Morphology

upregulation = upregulate (transparent) = up + regulate + ion

Formed by adding the noun-forming suffix '-ion' to the verb 'upregulate'; the derivation is a standard nominalization.

Etymology

Upregulation comes from up and regulation; up means 'higher' and regulation is related to regular, which means 'rule' or 'control'. So think of it like turning the volume up: upregulation means an increase in the level or activity of something, often used to describe what happens inside cells in biology.