anisomycin

noun

an·​iso·​my·​cin ¦a-ˌnī-sə-¦mī-sᵊn 

a-¦nī-

: a white crystalline antibiotic C₁₄H₁₉NO₄ obtained from a soil streptomycete (Streptomyces griseolus) that inhibits protein synthesis, is effective against certain pathogenic protozoans and fungi, and is used especially in laboratory research

The application of various inhibitors of protein synthesis such as anisomycin and cycloheximide disrupts long-term memory formation, while it leaves short-term memory almost intact.

—Satoru Otani and Yehezkel Ben-Ari, International Review of Neurobiology, Volume 35, 1993

Word History

Etymology

probably from anisoyl, alternate name for methoxybenzoyl, a chemical component of the antibiotic (from anis(ic acid) + -oyl, in benzoyl) + -mycin

First Known Use

1954, in the meaning defined above

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!