IMGT Index

Here you are: IMGT Web resources > IMGT Index

DNA strand orientation

The DNA strand orientation is by convention 5' → 3'.

This concept allows to determine, for a given gene, the gene orientation relative to the 5' → 3' DNA strand.

• sense: same direction
• antisense: opposite direction

This concept is particulary important when a same sequence contains genes with different orientations.

The 'DNA strand orientation' concept is part of the 'ORIENTATION' axiom of IMGT-ONTOLOGY [1].

The two concept instances are exclusive:

• 'Sense', 'Plus' or 'Coding' strand
  The 5'->3' DNA strand is designated, for a given gene, as 'sense', 'plus' or 'coding' strand because its sequence is identical to the sequence of the premessenger (premRNA) [except for uracile (U) in RNA, instead of thymine (T) in DNA]. This coding strand is not transcribed.
• 'Antisense', 'Minus' or 'Not coding' strand
  The complementary 3'->5' strand which is the strand transcribed by the RNA polymerase is designated as "template" DNA (matrice in French). This strand is also described as 'antisense', 'minus' or 'not coding'. It is complementary to the 5'->3' strand.

More information:

• From the gene to the protein (transcription-translation)

Reference:

[1]	Giudicelli, V. and Lefranc, M.-P., Bioinformatics, 15, 1047-1054 (1999) PMID: 10745995, LIGM:221

See also:

• DNA
• Genomic orientation
• ORIENTATION
• Transcription

Created: 06/11/2003
Last updated: Friday, 15-Jan-2010 17:12:50 CET
Author: Marie-Paule Lefranc
Editors: Stéphanie Jeanjean, Chantal Ginestoux
Contact: Marie-Paule Lefranc

IMGT Home page | IMGT Repertoire (IG and TR) | IMGT Repertoire (MHC) | IMGT Repertoire (RPI) | IMGT Index | IMGT Scientific chart | IMGT Education

Software material and data coming from IMGT server may be used for academic research only, provided that it is referred to IMGT®, and cited as "IMGT®, the international ImMunoGeneTics information system® http://www.imgt.org (founder and director: Marie-Paule Lefranc, Montpellier, France)." References to cite: Lefranc, M.-P. et al., Nucleic Acids Research, 27, 209-212 (1999) Cover of NAR; Ruiz, M. et al., Nucleic Acids Research, 28, 219-221 (2000); Lefranc, M.-P., Nucleic Acids Research, 29, 207-209 (2001); Lefranc, M.-P., Nucleic Acids Res., 31, 307-310 (2003); Lefranc, M.-P. et al., In Silico Biol., 5, 0006 (2004) [Epub], 5, 45-60 (2005); Lefranc, M.-P. et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 33, D593-D597 (2005) Full text; Lefranc, M.-P. et al., Nucleic Acids Research 2009 37: D1006-D1012; doi:10.1093/nar/gkn838 Full text.
For any other use please contact Marie-Paule Lefranc Marie-Paule.Lefranc@igh.cnrs.fr.

     

IMGT founder and director: Marie-Paule Lefranc Marie-Paule.Lefranc@igh.cnrs.fr
Bioinformatics manager: Véronique Giudicelli Veronique.Giudicelli@igh.cnrs.fr
Computer manager: Patrice Duroux Patrice.Duroux@igh.cnrs.fr
Webmaster: Chantal Ginestoux Chantal.Ginestoux@igh.cnrs.fr

Citing IMGT | Warranty disclaimer and copyright notice | Privacy policy and advertisement policy

© Copyright 1995-2010 IMGT®, the international ImMunoGeneTics information system®