actin
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English
Etymology
From Ancient Greek ἀκτίς (aktís, “ray”), based on the shape of the filament formed, + -in.
Pronunciation
Audio (US) (file)
Noun
actin (countable and uncountable, plural actins)
- (biochemistry, uncountable) A globular structural protein that polymerizes in a helical fashion to form an actin filament (or microfilament).
- 2012, Elaine N. Marieb & Katja Hoehn, Human Anatomy & Physiology, 8th ed., chapter 9 "Muscles and Muscle Tissue", page 281.
- Actin has kidney-shaped polypeptide subunits, called globular actin or G actin, which bear the active sites to which the myosin heads attach during contraction.
- 2012, Elaine N. Marieb & Katja Hoehn, Human Anatomy & Physiology, 8th ed., chapter 9 "Muscles and Muscle Tissue", page 281.
- (biochemistry, countable) One of the six isoforms of actin.
Derived terms
Descendants
- → Spanish: actina
Translations
a globular structural protein