PYOCYANIN Meaning and
Definition
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Pyocyanin is a blue-green pigment produced by certain strains of the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It belongs to a class of compounds known as phenazines, which are characterized by their nitrogen-containing fused ring structure. Pyocyanin is primarily secreted by Pseudomonas aeruginosa during infection, making it a crucial virulence factor for the bacteria.
In terms of its chemical properties, pyocyanin has a molecular formula of C13H10N2O and a molecular weight of 210.23 grams per mole. It is soluble in water and exhibits a characteristic blue-green color, giving Pseudomonas aeruginosa-infected tissues a distinctive appearance.
Pyocyanin serves various functions within the context of bacterial infection. For instance, it plays a significant role in the evasion of the host immune response by suppressing the activity of immune cells. Additionally, it has been found to interfere with the normal functioning of respiratory epithelial cells, contributing to the pathogenesis of respiratory infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Furthermore, pyocyanin displays antimicrobial properties, acting as a potent broad-spectrum antibiotic against other microorganisms. This antimicrobial activity helps Pseudomonas aeruginosa establish and maintain dominance in infectious environments, allowing the bacteria to exploit available resources and cause harm to the host.
Overall, the production of pyocyanin by Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a crucial factor in the bacteria's ability to cause infections and evade the host immune system, making it an important target for further research into potential therapeutic interventions.
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The blue pigment formed by Bacillus pyocyaneus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PYOCYANIN
- oyocyanin
- lyocyanin
- -yocyanin
- 0yocyanin
- ptocyanin
- pgocyanin
- phocyanin
- puocyanin
- p7ocyanin
- p6ocyanin
- pyicyanin
- pykcyanin
- pylcyanin
- pypcyanin
- py0cyanin
- py9cyanin
- pyoxyanin
- pyovyanin
- pyofyanin
Etymology of PYOCYANIN
The word pyocyanin is derived from Greek roots. It is formed by combining pyo, which comes from the Greek word puon meaning pus, and cyanin, derived from the Greek word kyanos meaning dark blue.
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