HETEROLYSIN Meaning and
Definition
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Heterolysin is a term used to describe a type of protein or toxin that is capable of causing the breakdown or degradation of various molecules or structures in a way that is different from the natural or intrinsic lysins found in an organism. Lysins are enzymes that typically catalyze the hydrolysis or degradation of specific substances, such as proteins, nucleic acids, or carbohydrates, which is important for various biological processes.
Heterolysins, on the other hand, possess enzymatic activity that is distinctive or dissimilar to the lysins produced by their host organism. These proteins often exhibit a higher specificity for certain targets or possess alternative mechanisms of action that distinguish them from typical lysins. Heterolysins can act by disrupting or breaking down specific molecules that are essential for the survival or defense mechanisms of cells, bacteria, or other organisms.
The term "heterolysin" is frequently used in the context of microbial research, particularly in studying the mechanisms of pathogenicity or virulence in bacteria. Heterolysins produced by pathogenic bacteria play a crucial role in establishing and maintaining infections by enabling the pathogens to invade, colonize, and evade the immune system of the host organism. Understanding the properties and activities of heterolysins is critical for developing therapeutic interventions or preventive strategies against bacterial infections.
In summary, heterolysins are specialized proteins or toxins possessing unique enzymatic activities that differ from intrinsic lysins, allowing them to target and degrade specific molecules or structures in various biological contexts.
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Any lysin formed in response to the introduction of an antigen derived from an animal of another species; distinguished from homolysin and outolysin.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HETEROLYSIN
- geterolysin
- beterolysin
- neterolysin
- jeterolysin
- ueterolysin
- yeterolysin
- hwterolysin
- hsterolysin
- hdterolysin
- hrterolysin
- h4terolysin
- h3terolysin
- hererolysin
- heferolysin
- hegerolysin
- heyerolysin
- he6erolysin
- he5erolysin
- hetwrolysin
- hetsrolysin
Etymology of HETEROLYSIN
The word "heterolysin" is derived from two Greek roots: "hetero", meaning "other" or "different", and "lysin", which comes from the Greek word "lysis", meaning "loosening" or "dissolving". So, "heterolysin" can be understood as a substance or an agent that causes dissolution or breakdown of something different or other than itself.
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