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Definition

noun

An active glycoprotein lectin extracted from the pokeweed (Phytolacca americana), which is mitogenic for both T and B cells.

Supplement

Pokeweed mitogen is one of the lectins most commonly studied in humans for their mitogenic effects. Others are concanavalin A and phytohemagglutinin. Among the three, the pokeweed mitogen is the most effective in stimulating lymphocytes from a variety of species.

Word origin: pokeweed + mitogen

Abbreviation: PWM

See also: mitogen