ScienceAugust 13, 2026

cognate

KOG-neyt

Definition

Refers to a specific molecule or binding site that corresponds or matches perfectly with a particular partner, such as a protein binding to its intended DNA sequence.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'cognatus,' meaning 'born together' or 'related by birth.' It entered English in the 17th century to describe things that are related by origin, nature, or quality.

In the news

In this context, the word describes the preferred, specific DNA sequences that GCN4 is designed to bind to, contrasting them with non-specific or 'promiscuous' binding sites.

Nucleosomes and IDRs suppress promiscuous GCN4 binding on minichromosomes

Read the full article ↗

Nature

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