protamine

noun

prot·​amine ˈprō-tə-ˌmēn 

: any of various strongly basic proteins of relatively low molecular weight that are rich in arginine and are found associated especially with DNA in place of histone in the sperm cells of various animals (such as fish)

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary prot- + amine

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

protamine

noun

prot·​amine ˈprōt-ə-ˌmēn 

: any of various strongly basic proteins of relatively low molecular weight that are rich in arginine and are found associated especially with DNA in place of histone in the sperm of various animals (as fish)