antiparallel

(adjective)

The nature of the opposite orientations of the two strands of DNA or two beta strands that comprise a protein's secondary structure

Related Terms

Examples of antiparallel in the following topics:

  • The DNA Double Helix

    • This antiparallel orientation is important to DNA replication and in many nucleic acid interactions.
    • Native DNA is an antiparallel double helix.
    • In a double stranded DNA molecule, the two strands run antiparallel to one another so that one strand runs 5′ to 3′ and the other 3′ to 5′.

  • The Central Dogma: DNA Encodes RNA and RNA Encodes Protein

    • During transcription, a DNA sequence is read by RNA polymerase, which produces a complementary, antiparallel RNA strand.

  • DNA Replication in Eukaryotes

    • Therefore, the two newly-synthesized strands grow in opposite directions because the template strands at each replication fork are antiparallel.

  • Protein Structure

    • The β-pleated sheets which hold each other together align parallel or antiparallel to each other.