noun
- A class of fungal metabolites that inhibit actin polymerization and disrupt the cytoskeleton in cells, used in cell biology research.
Usage: technical; biology; plural form; singular is cytochalasin
Examples
- Researchers used cytochalasins to study how the cytoskeleton controls cell movement.
- The cytochalasins prevented actin filament formation in the cultured cells.
- Treatment with cytochalasins disrupted the normal shape of the fibroblasts.
- Scientists applied cytochalasins to investigate the role of microfilaments in cell division.
- Cytochalasins are valuable tools for understanding cellular mechanics in laboratory experiments.