lysin

/'laisin/

Thân thiện

A scientist observes lysin breaking down a bacterial cell wall.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A substance that causes lysis: "lysin" refers to any substance, such as a specific antibody or enzyme, that is capable of causing the disintegration (lysis) of cells, particularly bacteria or red blood cells, by breaking down their cell membranes or walls.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The researchers identified a potent lysin that effectively destroys the bacterial cell wall.
  • Certain antibodies act as a lysin, leading to the lysis of targeted cells.

Advanced Usage

• "Bacteriophage lysin": An enzyme produced by bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) to break down the bacterial cell wall, allowing new virus particles to escape.
  • Bacteriophage lysins are being studied as potential alternatives to antibiotics.

Variants and Related Words

• Lysis (n): The process of disintegration or dissolution, especially of cells.
  • Hemolysis is the lysis of red blood cells.
• Lytic (adj): Relating to or causing lysis.
  • The virus has a lytic cycle that ends with the host cell's destruction.

Synonyms

• Cytolysin: An agent that causes the lysis of cells.
• Hemolysin: A specific type of lysin that causes the lysis of red blood cells.

Related Phrases

• Lysin activity: The functional capacity of a lysin to cause cell disintegration.
  • The lysin activity was measured in the laboratory assay.

Học thuật

Noun

1. any substance (such as an antibody) or agent that can cause lysis