avidin

[ av-i-din, uh-vid-in ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. a protein, found in the white of egg, that combines with and prevents the action of biotin, thus injuring the animal that consumes it in excess by producing biotin deficiency.

avidin

/ ˈævɪdɪn; əˈvɪdɪn /

noun

1. a protein, found in egg-white, that combines with biotin to form a stable compound that cannot be absorbed, leading to a biotin deficiency in the consumer

Word History and Origins

Origin of avidin¹

1940–45; avid + (biot)in; so named from its affinity for biotin

Word History and Origins

Origin of avidin¹

C20: from avid + ( bio ) in ; from its characteristic avidity for biotin

Example Sentences

Banik et al. began by making LYTACs of varying size and linker composition, and which used a small molecule called biotin as the protein-binding component — biotin binds with exceptionally high affinity to avidin proteins.

From Nature

The authors observed that these LYTACs rapidly shuttled an extracellular fluorescent avidin protein to intracellular lysosomes in a way that required engagement with CI-M6PR.

From Nature

One possible explanation: perhaps the bacteria of his urinary tract infection were making biotin, sending enough into his blood to cancel stupendous quantities of avidin and feed the cancer besides.

From Time Magazine Archive

Egg white's avidin links up with biotin, part of the vitamin B complex essential for growth of both normal and cancerous tissues.

From Time Magazine Archive

Theory is that large amounts of avidin might "freeze" enough blood biotin to starve a cancer, possibly stop its growth or dry it up.

From Time Magazine Archive