autocrine

adjective

au·​to·​crine ˈȯ-tō-ˌkrin How to pronounce autocrine (audio)
: of, relating to, promoted by, or being a substance secreted by a cell and acting on surface receptors of the same cell compare paracrine

Word History

Etymology

auto- + -crine (in endocrine entry 1)

Note: The term was introduced by Michael B. Sporn and George J. Todaro in "Autocrine Secretion and Malignant Transformation of Cells," New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 303, no. 15 (October 9, 1980), pp. 878-80.

First Known Use

1980, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of autocrine was in 1980

Dictionary Entries Near autocrine

autocrator

autocrine

autocritical

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Autocrine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autocrine. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

autocrine

adjective
au·​to·​crine -krin How to pronounce autocrine (audio)
: of, relating to, promoted by, or being a substance secreted by a cell and acting on surface receptors of the same cell
autocrine stimulation of T cell growth
autocrine growth of some breast cancers—M. E. Lippman
compare paracrine
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