perforin
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of perforin
First recorded in 1980–85; perfor(ate) ( def. ) + -in 2 ( def. )
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.
They eliminate these threats through a process called degranulation, which releases a protein known as perforin.
From Science Daily • Oct. 11, 2025
Binding of TCRs with antigens activates CTLs to release perforin and granzyme, degradative enzymes that will induce apoptosis of the infected cell.
From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022
After the NK cell detects an infected or tumor cell, its cytoplasm secretes granules comprised of perforin, a destructive protein that creates a pore in the target cell.
From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022
Granzymes are released along with the perforin in the immunological synapse.
From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022
A perforin is a protein that forms pores in the membranes of infected cells.
From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
