cytokin

Cytokin is not a standard, widely recognized term in contemporary biology. In most scientific contexts, the word is either a misspelling or shorthand for related terms such as cytokine or cytokinin. Because of the potential for confusion, it is important to clarify the intended meaning from context when the term appears.

Cytokines are a broad family of small signaling proteins or glycoproteins produced by various cell types, including immune cells. They regulate communication between cells and influence processes such as immune responses, inflammation, cell growth, and tissue repair. Cytokines act by binding to specific receptors on target cells, triggering signaling cascades that alter gene expression and cellular behavior. Examples of cytokines include interleukins, interferons, and tumor necrosis factors. The study of cytokines is central to immunology and inflammation research, and dysregulation of cytokine signaling is linked to numerous diseases.

Cytokinins are a class of plant hormones derived from adenine that promote cell division and various growth processes in plants. They work in concert with other hormones to regulate organ development, shoot initiation, and delay of leaf senescence. Natural cytokinins include zeatin and kinetin, while synthetic cytokinins such as benzylaminopurine are used in plant tissue culture and agricultural applications. Cytokinins influence processes like nutrient mobilization, apical dominance, and regeneration in vitro.

In scholarly writing, it is best to use cytokine or cytokinin for clarity. If the term cytokin appears, verify whether the intended reference is to a cytokine, a cytokinin, or a fictional/abbreviated usage.