globulin

[ glob-yuh-lin ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. any of a group of proteins, as myosin, occurring in plant and animal tissue, insoluble in pure water but soluble in dilute salt solutions and coagulable by heat.
2. any of several groups of blood plasma proteins, divided into fractions, as alpha, beta, or gamma globulin, depending on electrophoretic mobility.

globulin

/ ˈɡlɒbjʊlɪn /

noun

1. any of a group of simple proteins, including gamma globulin, that are generally insoluble in water but soluble in salt solutions and coagulated by heat

globulin

/ glŏb′yə-lĭn /

1. A major class of proteins found in the seeds of plants and in various tissues and substances of vertebrate and invertebrate animals, including blood, muscle, and milk. The globulins in blood comprise all the plasma proteins besides albumin. Two kinds, alpha and beta globulin, are primarily transport proteins or serve as substrates for forming other substances, and include lipoproteins and enzymes. A third kind, the gamma globulins, consists almost entirely of the immunoglobulins. Most globulins are insoluble in water but soluble in saline solution.

Word History and Origins

Origin of globulin¹

First recorded in 1825–35; globule + -in ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of globulin¹

C19: from globule + -in

Example Sentences

Gamma globulin, for example, takes disease-fighting antibodies from healthy donors and gives them to those who cannot make antibodies on their own.

From Washington Post

Instead, doctors should turn to other blood thinners, and some experts also recommend immune globulin therapy to break up the aggregated immune and platelet cells.

From Time

Holme says the two patients in his study were also successfully treated with immune globulin to help reduce the tendency of the immune cells to clump together with the platelets.

From Time

For example, vaccinia immune globulin, or VIG, is stored and ready for the next person who becomes ill from smallpox vaccine.

From The Daily Beast

Paraglobulin, par-a-glob′ū-lin, n. a globulin found in blood-serum, fibrino-plastin.

From Project Gutenberg

Besides these mentioned, milk contains traces of another proteid of similar composition called globulin.

From Project Gutenberg

The globulin in the body could not remain in solution if there were not always present a small quantity of salt in the blood.

From Project Gutenberg

Other forms of protein are globulin and myosin, which form the actual muscle-substance.

From Project Gutenberg

Globulin has been reported by Hellmich in an undetermined bacterium, but is certainly not commonly found.

From Project Gutenberg