coded for

These DNA sections were called “enhancers.” Studies showed that a key viral characteristic by enhancers was the infectivity of the virus： the range of cell types it could invade and the ways in which the microbe could spread.

---From The Coming Plague

Question: Does the following dictionary entry of "code" fit in here? Thanks.


intransitive verb
to specify the genetic code:
the DNA sequence of the gene that codes for that protein— Gina B. Kolata

The answer is "Yes":

Studies showed that a key viral characteristic by enhancers was the infectivity of the virus =
Studies showed that a key viral characteristic, in respect of which enhancers had coded (specified the genetic code), was the infectivity of the virus.

PaulQ said:

The answer is "Yes":

Studies showed that a key viral characteristic by enhancers was the infectivity of the virus =
Studies showed that a key viral characteristic, in respect of which enhancers had coded (specified the genetic code), was the infectivity of the virus.

Thank you, dear PaulQ, for your prompt and helpful reply.