actomyosin

American

[ak-tuh-mahy-uh-sin] / ˌæk təˈmaɪ ə sɪn /

noun

Biochemistry.

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 British

/ ˌæktəʊˈmaɪəsɪn /

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of actomyosin

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"For a cell to divide, the nucleus has to move into the top region of a cell, and it does so based on the actomyosin network," Rangel Ambriz said.

From Science Daily • May 17, 2024

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

From Science Daily • May 17, 2024

During the actomyosin cortex flow, the myoplasm folds and forms many buckles due to the friction forces established between the two components.

From Science Daily • Jan. 9, 2024

As actomyosin movement stops, the friction forces also disappear.

From Science Daily • Jan. 9, 2024

Their active portions are submicroscopic fibers made of a peculiar protein called actomyosin.

From Time Magazine Archive

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023