How Do You Spell PROTAMINE?

Pronunciation: [pɹˈə͡ʊtɐmˌiːn] (IPA)

The word "protamine" is spelled phonetically as /ˈproʊtəˌmeɪn/. The pronunciation can be broken down into several parts. The first syllable "pro" sounds like "proh" and is followed by "tuh" for the second syllable. The third syllable "mei" is phonetically pronounced as "may" and the final syllable "in" sounds like "in". This word is commonly used in biology and refers to a small, positively charged protein found in fish sperm. It is often used as a medicine to reverse the effects of certain blood thinners.

PROTAMINE Meaning and Definition

  1. Protamine is a naturally occurring, small cationic protein that is derived from the sperm of certain fish, particularly salmon. It is considered a powerful antagonist to heparin and is commonly used as an antidote for heparin overdose. Protamine is a highly basic protein with a high arginine content and a low sulfur content, making it soluble in water. Its primary function is to neutralize the anticoagulant effects of heparin by forming a stable complex with it through electrostatic interactions.

    Due to its ability to precipitate heparin, protamine is frequently employed during surgical procedures that involve the administration of heparin to prevent blood clot formation. By binding to the heparin molecules, protamine effectively reverses the anticoagulant activity, allowing the blood to clot as normal. Aside from its clinical use as an antidote, protamine is also utilized in the pharmaceutical industry for binding and stabilizing certain medications, particularly insulin. It helps prolong the action of insulin in the body, making it an essential component in the formulation of long-acting insulin preparations.

    Although protamine is generally well-tolerated by most individuals, it may rarely cause allergic reactions, especially in individuals who have previously been exposed to protamine or fish-derived products. Additionally, it is important to carefully monitor the dosage and administration of protamine, as excessive amounts can lead to adverse effects such as hypotension, bradycardia, and pulmonary hypertension.

  2. A simple protein of basic properties forming salts with mineral acids; it is not coagulable by heat, is soluble in water, and precipitates aqueous solutions of other proteins; it is one of a group of the less complex forms of protein found in fish-sperm; they differ in the different fishes and have received names derived from the name of the fish from whose spermatozoa they have been obtained-salmin, sturin, scombrin, etc.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for PROTAMINE

Etymology of PROTAMINE

The word "protamine" has roots in French and Latin. The term "protamine" was coined in the early 20th century by joining two French words: "protéine" meaning protein, and "amidine" which refers to a chemical compound. The French word "protéine" has its origins in the Latin word "proteus" meaning the primary substance or the first matter. The Latin word "amidinus" means amide. Therefore, "protamine" can be understood as a compound word that combines the concepts of protein and amide.

Similar spelling words for PROTAMINE

Plural form of PROTAMINE is PROTAMINES

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