STREPTOCOCCOLYSIN Meaning and
Definition
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Streptococcolysin is a term used in microbiology to refer to a group of enzymes produced by certain bacteria of the genus Streptococcus. These enzymes possess the ability to lyse, or break down, the cell walls of other bacteria within the same genus. Streptococcolysins are primarily responsible for the destruction of competing bacterial cells, thereby providing the producing Streptococcus strains with a selective advantage in their ecological niche.
These enzymes are classified as endolysins, which are enzymes that specifically target and break down the peptidoglycan layer present in bacterial cell walls. This unique feature allows streptococcolysins to selectively cleave the peptidoglycan bonds within competing Streptococcus cells, resulting in their lysis. The released nutrients from these lysed cells can then be utilized by the producing Streptococcus strains for growth and survival.
Streptococcolysins have been extensively studied due to their potential application in various fields, including medicine and biotechnology. Their ability to selectively target and destroy harmful bacteria has led to investigations on their potential as antimicrobial agents. They have also been studied for their potential use in the development of novel therapeutic strategies against bacterial infections.
In summary, streptococcolysins are a group of enzymes produced by Streptococcus bacteria that can lyse competing bacteria within the same genus by breaking down their cell walls. Their unique ability to selectively target and destroy other Streptococcus cells makes them an important area of research.
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An hemolysin excreted by a streptococcus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for STREPTOCOCCOLYSIN
- streptococcolysif
- streptococcolysil
- streptococcolysio
- streptwococcolysin
- s treptococcolysin
- st reptococcolysin
- str eptococcolysin
- strept ococcolysin
- strepto coccolysin
- streptoc occolysin
- streptoco ccolysin
- streptococ colysin
- streptococc olysin
- streptococco lysin
- streptococcol ysin
- streptococcoly sin
- streptococcolys in
- streptococcolysi n
Etymology of STREPTOCOCCOLYSIN
The word "streptococcolysin" is derived from the combination of three parts: "strepto-", "cocco-", and "-lysin".
1. "Strepto-" is a prefix derived from the Greek word "streptos", meaning twisted or curved. It is commonly used in biology to refer to bacteria of a particular genus, Streptococcus, which are typically curved or twisted in shape.
2. "Cocco-" is a combining form derived from the Greek word "kokkos", meaning berry or grain. In biology, this prefix is used to refer to spherical bacteria, such as cocci.
3. "-Lysin" is a suffix used in biology and medicine, derived from the Greek word "lysis", meaning loosening or dissolution. It is often used to indicate a substance or enzyme that can cause the breakdown or lysis of cells.
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