IDIOHETEROLYSIN Meaning and
Definition
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Idioheterolysin is a term used in the field of microbiology to refer to a family of bacterial exotoxins. It is derived from the Greek words "idio" meaning "individual" or "unique," "hetero" meaning "different," and "lysin" referring to a substance that can cause lysis or destruction of cells.
Idioheterolysins are secreted by certain types of bacteria and are characterized by their ability to cause the destruction of cells originating from different species. These exotoxins are known for their high specificity towards target cells and their potent cytolytic activity. Upon contact with target cells, idioheterolysins can disrupt the integrity of the cell membranes, leading to cell lysis and death.
These toxins are produced by various pathogenic bacteria as a part of their arsenal to invade and infect the host organism. They play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of certain infectious diseases by allowing the bacteria to evade host immune responses, establish infections, and cause tissue damage.
The specific mechanisms by which idioheterolysins act on target cells can vary depending on the bacterial species and the toxin subtype. However, they generally bind to specific receptors on the surface of host cells, leading to the formation of pores or channels that disrupt the cell membrane's structural integrity.
Idioheterolysins have important implications in both basic research and clinical medicine. Understanding their structure and mode of action can aid in the development of therapeutic strategies to combat bacterial infections, such as the design of vaccines or targeted antimicrobial agents.
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An hemolysin (idiolysin) present in normal blood, active against the cells of an animal of a different species.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for IDIOHETEROLYSIN
- udioheterolysin
- jdioheterolysin
- kdioheterolysin
- odioheterolysin
- 9dioheterolysin
- 8dioheterolysin
- isioheterolysin
- ixioheterolysin
- icioheterolysin
- ifioheterolysin
- irioheterolysin
- ieioheterolysin
- iduoheterolysin
- idjoheterolysin
- idkoheterolysin
- idooheterolysin
- id9oheterolysin
- id8oheterolysin
- idiiheterolysin
- idikheterolysin
Etymology of IDIOHETEROLYSIN
The word "idioheterolysin" is a scientific term that is derived from several different roots and suffixes.
The first part of the word, "idio-", comes from the Greek word "idios", which means "one's own" or "peculiar". It is commonly used in scientific terminology to refer to something that is specific or unique.
The second part of the word, "hetero-", also comes from Greek and means "different" or "other". It is often used to indicate something that is different from or distinct from something else.
The next part of the word, "lysin", is derived from the Greek word "lysis", which means "breakdown" or "destruction". In scientific vocabulary, the suffix "-lysin" is often used to denote a substance or enzyme that has the ability to cause the breakdown or destruction of certain cells or structures.
