A protein or substance that breaks down and destroys bacterial cell membranes or walls.
From bacterio- (relating to bacteria) + -lysin (from Greek lysis, meaning 'loosening' or 'breaking down'). The suffix -lysin refers to substances that cause dissolution or destruction of cells.
Bacteriolysins are like molecular scissors that bacteria's enemies use against them—immune systems and viruses produce these to fight infections, which is why understanding them is crucial for developing new antibiotics.
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