dystrophin

noun

dys·​tro·​phin ˈdi-strə-ˌfin 

: a protein that is associated with a transmembrane complex of skeletal muscle cells and that is absent in Duchenne muscular dystrophy and deficient or defective in Becker muscular dystrophy

Examples of dystrophin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Other studies have gotten around the problem by creating smaller versions of dystrophins, with promising effects in tests in dogs. —Michael Irving, New Atlas, 22 July 2024

But inspired by an older man who was missing nearly half of the protein yet had only mild muscular dystrophy, Chamberlain’s lab 2 decades ago devised a gene for a miniature dystrophin. —Byjocelyn Kaiser, science.org, 23 May 2023

Duchenne is a rare fatal neuromuscular disease caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene that result in a progressive loss of muscle function and weakness, including in the heart and skeleton. —BostonGlobe.com, 24 Dec. 2019

The guide RNAs were designed to trigger production of a missing protein called dystrophin. —Sara Reardon, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2020

Word History

Etymology

dystrophy + -in entry 1

Note: Term introduced by Eric P. Hoffman, Robert H. Brown, Jr., and Louis M. Kunkel in "Dystrophin: The protein product of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy locus," Cell, vol. 51, no. 6, December 24, 1987, pp. 919-28.

First Known Use

1987, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

dystrophin

noun

dys·​tro·​phin ˈdis-trə-ˌfin 

: a protein of high molecular weight that is associated with a transmembrane glycoprotein complex of skeletal muscle cells and is absent in Duchenne muscular dystrophy and deficient or of abnormal molecular weight in Becker muscular dystrophy