A linear polymer containing an indefinite (usually large) number of nucleotides, linked from one ribose (or deoxyribose) to another via phosphoric residues. Cf.:oligonucleotide.
- p. methyltransferases enzymes that catalyze the methylation of purine and/or pyrimidine bases of polynucleotides or of the sugars of polynucleotides. SYN: p. methylases.
- p. thioltransferases enzymes that catalyze specific thiolation reaction of purine and/or pyrimidine bases in polynucleotides.
* * *
* * *
n.
a long chain of linked nucleotide, of which molecules of DNA and RNA are made.
* * *
poly·nu·cleo·tide (pol″e-nooґkle-o-tīd) a linear polymer of mononucleotides; see nucleic acid.Medical dictionary. 2011.