actomyosin

[ ak-tuh-mahy-uh-sin ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. a complex protein, consisting of myosin and actin, that is the major constituent of skeletal muscle and is thought to interact with ATP to cause muscle contraction.

actomyosin

/ ˌæktəʊˈmaɪəsɪn /

noun

1. a complex protein in skeletal muscle that is formed by actin and myosin and which, when stimulated, shortens to cause muscle contraction

Word History and Origins

Origin of actomyosin¹

First recorded in 1940–45; act(in) + -o- + myosin

Example Sentences

The group found that a subcellular structure called actomyosin drives much of the development process, especially the lower wing disc flattening.

From Science Daily

The actomyosin flows, however, stopped during the expansion of the contraction pole, suggesting that there are additional players responsible for the bump.

From Science Daily

Second, expression of components of the actomyosin cytoskeleton — a network of protein filaments that generates contractile forces in cells5 — was increased.

From Nature

How actomyosin is controlled during such collective cell movement remains poorly understood.

From Science Magazine

During cell division and growth, actomyosin pushes the nuclei of different cells back and forth to influence the shapes of individual cells that make up the wing disc.

From Science Daily