protamine

noun prot·amine \ ˈprō-tə-ˌmēn \

Definition of protamine

: any of various strongly basic proteins of relatively low molecular weight that are rich in arginine and are found associated especially with DNA in place of histone in the sperm cells of various animals (such as fish)

Origin and Etymology of protamine

International Scientific Vocabulary prot- + amine

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First Known Use: 1874

in the meaning defined above

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Medical Dictionary

protamine

noun prot·amine \ ˈprōt-ə-ˌmēn \

medical Definition of protamine

: any of various strongly basic proteins of relatively low molecular weight that are rich in arginine and are found associated especially with DNA in place of histone in the sperm of various animals (as fish)