noun
- Toxic peptides produced by certain poisonous mushrooms (genus Amanita) that inhibit RNA polymerase and cause severe liver and kidney damage.
Usage: technical; biochemistry; plural form of amanitin
Examples
- Amanitins are among the most potent natural toxins known to science.
- The death cap mushroom produces amanitins that can be fatal in small quantities.
- Researchers use amanitins to study the mechanisms of RNA polymerase in cells.
- Amanitins bind tightly to RNA polymerase II, blocking transcription.
- Ingestion of amanitins from wild mushrooms can cause irreversible organ failure.