What does antisense mean?
Antisense is a term from molecular biology describing a strand of DNA or RNA whose sequence is complementary to a messenger RNA — the 'sense' strand that carries instructions for building a protein. Because of this complementarity, an antisense molecule can bind to its target RNA by base-pairing, forming a duplex that blocks translation or triggers degradation of the message, effectively silencing the gene. The concept underpins antisense technology, in which short synthetic molecules called antisense oligonucleotides are designed to switch off disease-causing genes; several such drugs have been approved for conditions ranging from viral infections to rare genetic disorders. Though occasionally used as a noun for the strand or drug itself, antisense functions chiefly as an adjective in phrases like 'antisense strand' or 'antisense therapy'. It is a strictly scientific term, unfamiliar outside laboratory and biomedical contexts, but central to modern genetic medicine.
Describing a nucleic acid strand or sequence that is complementary to a messenger RNA (sense) strand and able to hybridize with it, blocking protein synthesis.
"The antisense strand paired perfectly with the target mRNA."
Almost always used attributively in scientific writing.
An antisense strand, sequence, or therapeutic oligonucleotide used to inhibit gene expression.
"The company's lead antisense entered clinical trials last year."
Typically preceded by an article when used as a noun.
Rarely pluralized; the plural appears only in technical contexts referring to multiple antisense sequences or agents.
"Several antisenses were screened against the same transcript."
The word 'sense' in molecular biology literally means the strand that makes sense — readable as protein — so 'antisense' is the mirror-image saboteur that binds it and shuts genes down.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of antisense
The term 'antisense' was coined in the late twentieth century within molecular biology, combining the prefix 'anti-' with 'sense', which biologists had adopted to mean the coding strand of DNA or its mRNA transcript. Its components trace back further: 'sense' derives from Latin 'sensus' (perception), via Old French, entering English in the medieval period, while 'anti-' comes from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against' or 'opposite'. Cognates sharing the 'sense' root include 'nonsense', 'sensory', and 'sensation'.
How antisense is actually used
A technical term confined almost entirely to molecular biology, genetics, and pharmaceutical science; rarely encountered in general conversation. It appears both attributively ('antisense strand') and as a standalone noun ('an antisense'). Register is strictly formal/scientific.
Easily confused with antisense
In genetics, 'antisense' describes a strand complementary to mRNA, while a 'nonsense' mutation is a DNA change that creates a premature stop codon.