Definition
cytochalasin
noun
- Any of a class of fungal metabolites that inhibit actin polymerization and disrupt the cytoskeleton in cells, used in research to study cell structure and movement.
Usage: technical; biology; biochemistry
Examples
- Cytochalasin D is commonly used in laboratory experiments to prevent cell division.
- Researchers applied cytochalasin to observe how cells respond when their actin filaments are disrupted.
- The drug cytochalasin B has been instrumental in understanding the role of the cytoskeleton in cell migration.
- Cytochalasin treatment causes cells to lose their normal shape and motility.
- Scientists use cytochalasin as a tool to study the dynamics of cell structure in real time.