initiation (redirected from Initiation ritual)

initiation /ini·ti·a·tion/ (i-ni?she-a´shun) the creation of a small alteration in the genetic coding of a cell by a low level of exposure to a carcinogen, priming the cell for neoplastic transformation upon later exposure to a carcinogen or a promoter.

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in·i·ti·a·tion (-nsh-shn)

n.

1. The act or an instance of initiating.

2. The condition of being initiated.

3. The first stage of tumor induction by a carcinogen in which cells are altered so that they are likely to form a tumor upon subsequent exposure to a promoting agent.

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initiation

the beginning or introduction rites. In cell biology, the first stage of transcription.

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initiation codon

the codon AUG which specifies the first amino acid, methionine, in protein synthesis. Called also initiator.

initiation complex

is formed at the initiation of protein synthesis and includes initiation factors, tRNA, mRNA and the ribosomal subunit.

initiation factors (IF)

a group of proteins that are required for initiation of protein synthesis to occur.