subtilisin

noun

sub·​til·​i·​sin ˌsəb-ˈti-lə-sən How to pronounce subtilisin (audio)
: a protease secreted by a soil bacillus (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens)

Examples of subtilisin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
With these steps in place, Arnold was able to work with with a protein-digesting enzyme known as subtilisin. David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, 3 Oct. 2018

Word History

Etymology

New Latin subtilis, specific epithet of Bacillus subtilis, species to which Bacillus amyloliquefaciens was once thought to belong

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of subtilisin was in 1953

Dictionary Entries Near subtilisin

Cite this Entry

“Subtilisin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subtilisin. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

subtilisin

noun
sub·​til·​i·​sin ˌsəb-ˈtil-ə-sən How to pronounce subtilisin (audio)
: an extracellular protease that is secreted by a soil bacterium of the genus Bacillus (B. amyloliquefaciens) and has various commercial uses (as in laundry detergents)
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!