1. Plural of porin; proteins that form pores in cell membranes, allowing passage of ions and small molecules.
Usage: technical; biology; biochemistry

Examples

• Porins are essential for the transport of nutrients across bacterial cell membranes.
• The outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria contains porins that regulate molecular passage.
• Scientists study porins to understand how cells control the movement of ions.
• Porins in mitochondrial membranes play a critical role in cellular energy production.
• The structure of porins has been revealed through X-ray crystallography studies.