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Definition of autolysin in English:

autolysin

Pronunciation /ɔːˈtɒlɪsɪn/

noun

Medicine Microbiology

  • An autoantibody or other endogenous substance that lyses cells; specifically an enzyme present within a bacterial cell that breaks down components of the cell.

Origin

Early 20th century. From auto- + lysin, after German Autolysin.