downregulate
|down-reg-u-late|
🇺🇸
/ˌdaʊnˈrɛɡjəˌleɪt/
🇬🇧
/ˌdaʊnˈrɛɡjʊleɪt/
reduce or suppress activity
Etymology
'downregulate' originates from English, formed by combining the prefix 'down-' meaning 'reduce' or 'lower' and 'regulate' meaning 'to control or adjust.'
'downregulate' was coined in the 20th century as a scientific term, especially in biology and medicine, by analogy with 'upregulate.' It became common in scientific literature to describe the process of reducing gene or protein activity.
Initially, it meant 'to reduce the activity or expression of a gene or protein,' and this meaning has remained consistent in modern scientific usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
to reduce or suppress the expression or activity of a gene, protein, or cellular process, especially in a biological or medical context.
Certain drugs can downregulate the production of specific proteins in the body.
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Verb 2
to intentionally decrease the level or amount of something, especially in a regulatory or control context.
The company decided to downregulate its production to avoid overstock.
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Verb 3
past tense or past participle form of 'downregulate'.
The gene was downregulated after treatment.
Last updated: 2025/07/28 05:09