1. Noun. The polypeptide hormone ''cachexin'' or ''tumor necrosis factor'' ¹
¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Medical Definition of Cachectin
1. Protein produced by macrophages that is responsible for the wasting (cachexia) associated with some tumours. Now known to be identical to tumour necrosis factor (TNF). Has three 17 kD sub units, all derived from a single highly conserved gene.
This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology
(11 Mar 2008)
