actomyosin

American  

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

noun

Biochemistry.

1. 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

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

---

Etymology

Origin of actomyosin

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

Example Sentences

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

From Science Daily

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

Second, expression of components of the actomyosin cytoskeleton — a network of protein filaments that generates contractile forces in cells5 — was increased.

From Nature

How actomyosin is controlled during such collective cell movement remains poorly understood.

From Science Magazine

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