Homodimerize意思

"Homodimerize" is a term used in molecular biology and biochemistry that refers to the process by which two identical molecules (monomers) bind together to form a dimer. The prefix "homo-" means "same," and "dimer" refers to a molecule that is composed of two subunits.

In the context of proteins, for example, homodimerization occurs when two identical protein monomers interact with each other through specific binding interfaces to form a dimeric protein complex. This process is often mediated by protein domains or motifs that are capable of self-association. Homodimerization can play important roles in the regulation of protein function, such as in the activation of transcription factors, the modulation of enzyme activity, or the assembly of larger protein complexes.

The term can also be applied to other types of molecules that can form dimers, such as RNA or DNA molecules. In these cases, homodimerization might involve base-pairing interactions between complementary sequences on two identical strands of nucleic acid.