dystrophin

noun

dys·​tro·​phin ˈdi-strə-ˌfin 

: 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

The startup claims its ultrasound technology can deliver extraordinary amounts of full-sized dystrophin to the muscles of monkeys. — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 17 July 2026

And yet researchers examining muscle tissue from children with Duchenne have detected healthy cells capable of making normal dystrophin, evidence of a somatic mutation autocorrecting the inherited one. — Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026

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

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

Medical Definition

dystrophin

noun

dys·​tro·​phin ˈdis-trə-ˌfin 

: 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