An autoantibody or other endogenous substance that lyses cells; specifically an enzyme present within a bacterial cell that breaks down components of the cell.
Origin
Early 20th century. From auto- + lysin, after German Autolysin.
Definition of autolysin in US English:
autolysin
nounɔːˈtɒlɪsɪn
Medicine Bacteriology
An autoantibody or other endogenous substance that lyses cells; specifically an enzyme present within a bacterial cell that breaks down components of the cell.
Origin
Early 20th century. From auto- + lysin, after German Autolysin.