Synonym(s)
- ORFs
- protein coding sequences
Definition(s)
- A reading frame in a sequence of nucleotides in DNA that contains no termination codons and so can potentially translate as a polypeptide chain.
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Definition from: NCI Thesaurus via Unified Medical Language System
at the National Library of Medicine
- A reading frame that does not contain a nucleotide triplet which stops translation before formation of a complete polypeptide -- abbreviation ORF.
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Definition from: Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary
by Merriam-Webster Inc.
- An open reading frame is a portion of a DNA molecule that, when translated into amino acids, contains no stop codons. The genetic code reads DNA sequences in groups of three base pairs, which means that a double-stranded DNA molecule can read in any of six possible reading frames--three in the forward direction and three in the reverse. A long open reading frame is likely part of a gene.
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Definition from: Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms
from the National Human Genome Research Institute
Related discussion in the Handbook
See also Understanding Medical Terminology.