cysteine

[ sis-tee-een, -in ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. a crystalline amino acid, C 3 H 7 O 2 NS, a component of nearly all proteins, obtained by the reduction of cystine. : Cys; : C

cysteine

/ ˈsɪstɪˌiːn; -ɪn /

noun

1. a sulphur-containing amino acid, present in proteins, that oxidizes on exposure to air to form cystine. Formula: HSCH 2 CH(NH 2 )COOH

cysteine

/ sĭs′tə-ēn′ /

1. A nonessential amino acid. Chemical formula: C 3 H 7 NO 2 S.
2. See more at amino acid

Derived Forms

• ˌcysteˈinic, adjective

Other Words From

• cyste·inic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cysteine¹

First recorded in 1880–85; alteration of cystine

Word History and Origins

Origin of cysteine¹

C19: variant of cystine

Example Sentences

Eggs, he says, are a good source of cysteine, an amino acid that helps the liver break down alcohol faster.

From The Daily Beast