spectrin Biochem.
(ˈspɛktrɪn)
[f. spectre n. + -in1; so called because it was isolated from ‘ghosts’ (sense 11 e) of red blood cells.]
A fibrous protein constituent of the membranes of red blood cells, forming a network on the inside of the plasma membrane.
| 1968 Marchesi & Steers in Science 12 Jan. 204/2 Because this protein appears to be a new molecular species and is extractable from erythrocyte ghost membranes, we suggest that it be called Spectrin. 1974 Sci. Amer. Mar. 27/3 The two heaviest polypeptide components, with molecular weights of 255,000 and 220,000, are collectively known as spectrin. 1978 Bio Systems X. 98/1 A variety of proteins other than actin can form filaments (e.g., flagellin, spectrin, spasmoneme filaments, skeletin). |