NONACTIN Meaning and
Definition
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Nonactin is a compound belonging to the class of cyclic ionophores, which are natural products isolated from Streptomyces bacteria. It is characterized by its unique macrocyclic structure formed by nine oxygen atoms and nine ether oxygen bridges, giving rise to a symmetric and spherical cavity at the center of the molecule. This structural feature allows nonactin to exhibit exceptional ion transport properties.
Nonactin acts as a highly selective ionophore that specifically binds monovalent cations, primarily potassium ions (K+), within its cavity through reversible complexation. This complexation facilitates the transport of potassium ions across biological membranes, resulting in ion flux disruption and alteration of membrane potential. As a result, nonactin can affect numerous biological processes that are controlled by potassium ion concentrations and electrochemical gradients, such as cellular homeostasis, neuronal signaling, and muscle contraction.
Due to its pharmacological properties, nonactin has been widely employed as a research tool in various scientific disciplines, including biochemistry, cell biology, and biophysics. Its ability to selectively bind potassium ions and disrupt ion balance has provided valuable insights into the role of these ions in physiological and pathological processes. Furthermore, nonactin has also found application in ion-selective electrodes and ion-sensitive field-effect transistors for the detection and quantification of potassium ions in biological and environmental samples.
Overall, nonactin is a naturally occurring ionophore that possesses unique and valuable potassium ion transport properties, making it an important compound for scientific research and technological applications.
Common Misspellings for NONACTIN
- bonactin
- monactin
- jonactin
- honactin
- ninactin
- nknactin
- nlnactin
- npnactin
- n0nactin
- n9nactin
- nobactin
- nomactin
- nojactin
- nohactin
- nonzctin
- nonsctin
- nonwctin
- nonqctin
- nonaxtin
- nonavtin
Etymology of NONACTIN
The word nonactin is derived from the combination of two parts: nona- and -actin.
1. Nona- is derived from the Latin word nonus, which means ninth. It is a numerical prefix used to indicate the number nine.
2. -Actin is derived from the Latin word actus, which means acting or doing. It is a suffix commonly used in chemistry to signify a compound or molecule that performs a particular action.
Therefore, nonactin can be understood as a compound or molecule that performs a particular action and contains nine components, in reference to the numerical prefix nona-.
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