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Promoter Polymorphism

Meaning

A Promoter Polymorphism is a common, naturally occurring genetic variation, typically a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), located specifically within the promoter region of a gene. The promoter region is the segment of DNA that functions as the binding site for transcription factors, essentially acting as the regulatory “on/off” switch and volume control for the gene’s expression. A polymorphism in this critical region can significantly alter the binding efficiency of these factors, thereby influencing the rate at which the corresponding enzyme or receptor protein is synthesized.