Definition
cytolysins
noun
- Plural of cytolysin; proteins or toxins that cause the destruction or lysis of cells, especially red blood cells.
Usage: technical; biology; medicine
Examples
- Cytolysins produced by certain bacteria can destroy red blood cells in culture.
- The pathogenic organism secretes cytolysins that damage host cell membranes.
- Researchers studied how cytolysins from the venom affect cellular integrity.
- Some immune cells release cytolysins to eliminate infected target cells.
- The presence of cytolysins in the serum indicated an active infection.