mycobactin

A complex lipid factor reported to be required for the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in human plasma; appears to be identical with the lipid factor extracted from M. phlei and essential for the growth of M. johnei.

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my·co·bac·tin .mī-kə-'bak-tin n any of several iron-chelating growth factors derived from mycobacteria and used esp. to culture Johne's bacillus

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my·co·bac·tin (mi″ko-bakґtin) a complex lipophilic compound found in the cell envelope of certain species of Mycobacterium; it is also required for growth by at least one species. Mycobactin chelates iron and facilitates iron transport into the cell.