dystrophin

noun

dys·​tro·​phin ˈdi-strə-ˌfin How to pronounce dystrophin (audio)
: 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
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.
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 See all Example Sentences for dystrophin 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of dystrophin was in 1987

Dictionary Entries Near dystrophin

dystrophic

dystrophin

dystrophy

Cite this Entry

“Dystrophin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dystrophin. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

dystrophin

noun
dys·​tro·​phin ˈdis-trə-ˌfin How to pronounce dystrophin (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on dystrophin

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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