spermine

American  

[spur-meen, -min] / ˈspɜr min, -mɪn /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. a polyamine, H 2 N(CH2 ) 3 NH(CH2 ) 4 NH(CH2 ) 3 NH 2 , formed from spermidine and occurring in all cells, especially prevalent in semen, sputum, pancreatic tissue, and certain yeasts.

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spermine British  

/ -mɪn, ˈspɜːmiːn /

noun

1. a white or colourless basic water-soluble amine that is found in semen, sputum, and animal tissues; diaminopropyltetramethylenediamine. Formula: C 10 H 26 N 4

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Etymology

Origin of spermine

First recorded in 1890–95; sperm- + -ine ²

Example Sentences

"And spermine is, so to speak, the binding agent that brings the strands together. There are only weakly attractive electrical forces between the molecules, and these organise them but do not firmly bind them together."

From Science Daily • Nov. 27, 2025

Specifically, the researchers observed how spermine helps the body's immune system eliminate nerve-damaging accumulations of amyloid proteins.

From Science Daily • Nov. 27, 2025

Their experiments showed that spermine causes harmful proteins to come together and form clumps through biomolecular condensation.

From Science Daily • Nov. 27, 2025

"The spermine is like cheese that connects the long, thin noodles without gluing them together, making them easier to digest."

From Science Daily • Nov. 27, 2025

I believe in Koch and in spermine and praise God for it.

From Letters of Anton Chekhov by Garnett, Constance