Thread: flanking

Hi guys,

Quick question, what does 'flanking' mean, exactly, for example in the following context:

"Perhaps more interesting than the negative sites are the five sites flanking the kinase domain..."

Does it simply mean 'within' (e.g. within the kinase domain..)

Thanks,

Tridimity :wink:

Originally Posted by tridimity

Hi guys,

Quick question, what does 'flanking' mean, exactly, for example in the following context:

"Perhaps more interesting than the negative sites are the five sites flanking the kinase domain..."

Does it simply mean 'within' (e.g. within the kinase domain..)

Thanks,

Tridimity :wink:

It means "around" or "next to".

Oh right, thanks.

So, does it mean immediately next to?

Does the word 'flanking' have strict meaning?

E.g. say we have: ---site X - KINASE DOMAIN---

would site X be flanking the kinase domain?

or if we have: ---site X---site Y---KINASE DOMAIN---

would site X no longer be flanking the kinase domain? would it be too far away to be described as next to the kinase domain?

would site Y instead be described as flanking the kinase domain? would site Y also be flanking site x? and vice versa?

Sorry, ive said flanking so many times now it almost doesnt sound like a word. Sorry to get all pedantic, the little details just matter to me

Tridimity

Originally Posted by tridimity

Does the word 'flanking' have strict meaning?

From the Merriam-Webster online dictionary (www.m-w.com):

Main Entry: flank
Function: transitive verb
Date: 1594
1 a: to be situated at the side of; especially : to be situated on both sides of <a road flanked with linden trees> b: to place something on each side of
2: to protect a flank of
3: to attack or threaten the flank of (as a body of troops)

Does this help?

http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/~smaloy/Glossary/F.html

Flanking sequence or flanking region
The DNA sequence located on either side of a specific genetic locus.

Ahh, on either side of. Okay, i can sleep now :P

Thank-you guys!!

Tridimity :-D