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

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 • May 17, 2024

Going forward, the researchers hope to gain a better understanding of the genetic and chemical signals that affect actomyosin.

From Science Daily • May 17, 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