backspliced
|back-spliced|
/ˈbæk.splaɪs/
(backsplice)
weave rope end back into itself
Etymology
'backsplice' is a modern English compound formed from 'back' + 'splice' in technical/molecular-biology usage (coined in the late 20th century) to denote splicing that joins an upstream site to a downstream site in reverse order.
'backsplice' was coined by combining the ordinary English word 'back' (meaning 'rear' or 'reverse') with 'splice' (an older English verb meaning 'to join by interweaving or joining ends'); 'splice' itself has long-standing use in English ropework and general joining since Middle English and developed into technical senses including genetic/RNA splicing.
Initially the components conveyed the literal idea of joining at the rear or in reverse; over time the compound took on a specific technical meaning in molecular biology: joining RNA ends in a noncanonical (reverse) order to create circular RNA.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a splice junction or event produced by backsplicing (often used in phrases such as 'a backsplice junction').
The backsplice junction was confirmed by sequencing across the joined ends.
Synonyms
Verb 1
to join a downstream splice site to an upstream splice site (i.e., splice in reverse order) during RNA processing, producing a circular RNA (a process often called backsplicing).
Many pre-mRNAs can be backspliced to form circular RNAs that regulate gene expression.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
having undergone backsplicing; describing RNA or an exon junction produced by the backsplicing process.
The study identified several backspliced transcripts enriched in neuronal tissue.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/27 13:58