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Glite Dictionary
endolysin

endolysin

9.8
A protein made by viruses that infect bacteria that breaks their cell walls
  • noun
  • /ˌɛndoʊˈlaɪsɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : endolisina
  • Researchers are testing a new endolysin to treat infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria.

Examples

  • The endolysin is crucial for bacterial cell lysis.

  • Researchers discovered that endolysin can effectively break down the cell walls of various bacterial strains.

  • The endolysin specifically targets and destroys the cell walls of harmful bacteria.

  • Scientists engineered an endolysin that can be used as a safe alternative to traditional antibiotics.

  • Researchers are studying endolysins for their antibacterial properties.

  • The bacteriophage's endolysin is crucial for ensuring that the virus can escape its bacterial host after replication.

  • Scientists are exploring how endolysin might serve as a novel treatment by targeting and destroying harmful bacteria.

Surface Forms

endolysin singular
endolysins plural

Morphology

endolysin = lysin (semi-transparent) = endo + lysin

The term is a technical formation 'endo-' (within) + 'lysin' (agent causing lysis); its meaning is clear to biomedical readers but not to average learners without domain knowledge.

Etymology

Endolysin is made of endo- meaning 'within' and -lysin meaning 'to break apart', similar to the lysis in analysis which means 'breaking into parts'. So an endolysin is an enzyme made by viruses that attack bacteria and it breaks the bacteria's cell wall from the inside.