actin

§English

§Etymology

From Ancient Greek ἀκτίς (aktís, “ray”), based on the shape of the filament formed, and the English chemical suffix -in.

§Noun

actin (countable and uncountable, plural actins)

1. (biochemistry, uncountable) A globular structural protein that polymerizes in a helical fashion to form an actin filament (or microfilament).
2. (biochemistry, countable) One of the six isoforms of actin.

§Derived terms

• actomyosin
• conductin
• isoactin

§See also

• actinic
• myosin

§Translations

a globular structural protein

• Portuguese: actina f

§Anagrams

• antic
• can it