ScienceSeptember 3, 2026

nucleator

NOO-klee-ay-ter

Definition

A substance or specialized protein that initiates the formation of a larger structure, such as a filament, from smaller building blocks.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'nucleus' (meaning kernel or inner part) combined with the suffix '-ator', reflecting the biological process of providing a 'core' or 'kernel' around which a structure grows.

In the news

In this article, Formin-1 acts as an actin nucleator, serving as the essential trigger that starts the assembly of actin filaments required for the parasite to move.

Scientists Reveal How Parasites Move, Opening Therapeutic Opportunities

Read the full article ↗

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