Dimer
Dimer
Dimer (/ˈdaɪmər/; from Greek di- "two" + -mer "part") is a chemical structure formed from two similar or identical molecules (or monomers) that are linked together. In the field of biochemistry, dimers play a crucial role in the formation of various biological structures and in the regulation of biological processes.
Etymology
The term "dimer" originates from the Greek words di- meaning "two" and -mer meaning "part". It was first used in the early 20th century to describe molecules composed of two identical or similar parts.
Related Terms
- Monomer: A molecule that can join together with other molecules to form a polymer.
- Polymer: A large molecule composed of many repeated subunits, which can include dimers.
- Oligomer: A molecule that consists of a few monomer units, in contrast to a polymer which consists of many.
- Protein dimer: A type of dimer formed from two protein molecules.
- Nucleic acid dimer: A type of dimer formed from two nucleic acid molecules.
Applications
In biochemistry, dimers are important in the formation of various biological structures. For example, many proteins function as dimers, including transcription factors that regulate gene expression. In addition, dimers are involved in the regulation of various biological processes, such as cell division and DNA repair.
In medicine, understanding the formation and function of dimers can be crucial for the development of new drugs. For instance, drugs that can disrupt the formation of harmful dimers could potentially be used to treat diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's disease.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Dimer
- Wikipedia's article - Dimer
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