actin

[ ak-tuhn ]

nounBiochemistry.
  1. a globulin that is present in muscle plasma and that in connection with myosin plays an important role in muscle contraction.

Origin of actin

1
1940–45; perhaps act + -in2

Other definitions for actin- (2 of 2)

actin-

  1. variant of actino- before a vowel: actinism.

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How to use actin in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for actin

actin

/ (ˈæktɪn) /


noun
  1. a protein that participates in many kinds of cell movement, including muscle contraction, during which it interacts with filaments of a second protein, myosin

Origin of actin

1
C20: from act + -in

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for actin

actin

[ ăktĭn ]


  1. A protein found in all eukaryotic cells, forming filaments that make up a main component of the cell's supporting matrix or cytoskeleton. Actin and the protein myosin together make up the contractile units (called sarcomeres) of skeletal muscle fibers.

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