adhesin
noun
ad·he·sin
| \ ad-ˈhē-zᵊn
\
\
plural adhesins
Definition of adhesin
: any of various specialized molecular components (such as proteins) on the surface of a bacterial cell that bring about adhesion by attaching to the surface of other cells or structures
At the tip of each pilus is an adhesin, a protein designed to stick to a surface molecule of the bacterium's target cells.— John Travis, Science News, 26 Apr. 1997 Cranberries have been shown to help prevent recurrent urinary tract infections but not by changing acidity. They contain chemicals that block adhesins and prevent bacteria from sticking to urinary tract cells.— Gabe Mirkin, Washington Times, 28 Oct. 2001
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