actin

¹

[ ak-tuhn ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

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

actin-

²

1. variant of actino- before a vowel:

   actinism.

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

actin

/ ăk′tĭn /

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of actin¹

1940–45; perhaps act + -in ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of actin¹

C20: from act + -in

Example Sentences

This structure is a dynamic network of actin fibers that affects how stiff or tall the cells become.

From Science Daily

The team found that more aggressive cells pull more strongly on the ECM than on themselves while noninvasive cells pull more strongly on themselves than on the ECM -- and that the different pulling behaviors are attributed to different structures of actin cytoskeleton inside the cells.

From Science Daily

Invasive cells use predominantly actin stress fibers -- thick actin bundles that span the cell -- to generate forces on their surroundings, while noninvasive cells generate forces through their actin cortex, a thin network directly under the cell membrane.

From Science Daily

From previous studies, it is already known that these intracellular pathogens rely on an unusual spread strategy: After entering the cell, they make use of cellular components, such as actin, to move to the cell membrane and form protrusions into the neighboring cell.

From Science Daily

Actin is a highly abundant protein that controls the shape and movement of all our cells.

From Science Daily