actinomycin

[ak-tin-oh-mahy-sin, ak-tuh-noh-]

noun

Pharmacology.

1. any of a group of related antibiotics derived from several species of streptomyces bacteria, used against susceptible bacteria and fungi and in the treatment of various cancers.

actinomycin

/ ˌæktɪnəʊˈmaɪsɪn /

noun

1. any of several toxic antibiotics obtained from bacteria of the genus Streptomyces, used in treating some cancers; the most commonly used is dactinomycin (actinomycin D)

Word History and Origins

Origin of actinomycin¹

actinomyc(es) + -in ²

Example Sentences

Dr. Woodruff was able to isolate two microbes, culture them and purify the antibiotics they produced: first actinomycin, which he found could inhibit tuberculosis, and later streptothricin.

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