dystrophin

noun dys·tro·phin \ ˈdis-trə-ˌfin \

Updated on: 14 May 2018

Definition of dystrophin

: 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

Recent Examples of dystrophin from the Web

Hundreds or thousands of amino acids are linked together to form proteins such as insulin, collagen, dystrophin, myosin, and the thousands of others needed for life.

— sharon begley, STAT, "Genome ‘writers’ set their first goal: recoding human cells to resist viruses," 1 May 2018
This rare, genetic muscle-wasting disease leaves many of its victims dead by their 20s as patients don't produce enough of a critical protein, called dystrophin, which helps keep muscles intact.

— Fortune, "Brainstorm Health: Sarepta Stock Spikes, Zika for Brain Cancer, Lasker Prize Winners," 6 Sep. 2017
This resulted in a small bump in dystrophin production.

— sy mukherjee, Fortune, "This Controversial Biotech May Yet Defy Its Skeptics," 6 Sep. 2017
The inherited condition, most common in boys, results from a lack of dystrophin, a protein that’s essential for healthy muscles.

— lacy schley, Discover Magazine, "Trending: TRAPPIST-1, 3-D Printed Glass," 11 Oct. 2017
Children with the condition are born without the protein, dystrophin, which results in muscle degeneration.

— wendy grossman kantor, PEOPLE.com, "Mom Starts Fund to Find Cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy After Son’s Fatal Diagnosis: ‘There’s No Way I Can Give Up’," 31 Aug. 2017
Exondys 51 may be helping protect muscle cells from deterioration by producing a form of dystrophin, a protein largely lacking in those with the genetic mutation.

— katie thomas, The Seattle Times, "Insurers battle families over $1 million drug for fatal disease," 22 June 2017
Until then, there was no approved treatment for boys with Duchenne; Exondys 51 may be helping protect muscle cells from deterioration by producing a form of dystrophin, a protein largely lacking in those with the genetic mutation.

— katie thomas, New York Times, "Insurers Battle Families Over Costly Drug for Fatal Disease," 22 June 2017
Skeptics argued that the small clinical trials did not demonstrate meaningful improvement, showing just a minuscule increase in dystrophin.

— katie thomas, The Seattle Times, "Insurers battle families over $1 million drug for fatal disease," 22 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dystrophin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of dystrophin

dystrophy + ¹-in

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1987

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

dystrophin

noun dys·tro·phin \ ˈdis-trə-ˌfin \

medical Definition of dystrophin

: 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