actin

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ἀκτίς (aktís, “ray”), based on the shape of the filament formed, +‎ -in.

Pronunciation

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Noun

actin (countable and uncountable, plural actins)

1. (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.

2. (biochemistry, countable) One of the six isoforms of actin.

See also

• conductin
• myosin

Anagrams

• antic, cain't, can it