CYSTEIN Meaning and
Definition
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Cysteine is an amino acid and a building block of proteins. It is classified as a non-essential amino acid, meaning that it can be synthesized by the body and is not required to be consumed through the diet.
Cysteine contains a unique sulfur-containing side chain, which differentiates it from other amino acids. This sulfur group allows cysteine to form covalent bonds with other cysteine molecules, resulting in a strong chemical interaction called a disulfide bond. These disulfide bonds play a critical role in the folding and structure of proteins, contributing to their stability.
Cysteine also serves several important functions in the body. It is involved in the synthesis of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage caused by reactive oxygen species. Additionally, cysteine plays a role in nutrient metabolism, helping to convert certain amino acids into energy and aiding in the detoxification of harmful substances in the liver.
Dietary sources of cysteine include high-protein foods such as meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, and eggs. It can also be found in plant-based sources like legumes, nuts, and seeds. In certain cases where cysteine production may be impaired, such as in certain genetic disorders, supplementation with cysteine may be necessary.
Overall, cysteine is a vital amino acid that contributes to the structure, function, and antioxidant defense mechanisms of the body.
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Alpha-amino-beta-thiopropionic acid, CH2(SH).CH(NH2).COOH, a protein cleavage product, sometimes found in the urine.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for CYSTEIN
- cisteen
- cystine
- cysteinne
- cysteine
- cystie
- cystien
- xystein
- vystein
- fystein
- dystein
- ctstein
- cgstein
- chstein
- c7stein
- c6stein
- cyatein
- cyztein
- cyxtein
- cydtein
- cyetein
Etymology of CYSTEIN
The word "cysteine" comes from the Latin term "cysteinum", which is derived from the Greek word "kustis", meaning "bladder" or "cyst". This is because cysteine was first discovered in urinary bladder stones. The -ine suffix is a common ending for amino acids, denoting its status as a basic building block of proteins.
Similar spelling words for CYSTEIN
- siston,
- SISTAN,
- seston,
- syston,
- sistani,
- seisdon,
- Sistine,
- sisseton,
- XCITN,
- cyston,
- al-sistani,
- ZSDN,
- sistina,
- l-cysteine,
- Sicyedon,
- sawston,
- SYSDYN,
- cystine,
- cestone,
- cystin,
- Cyesteine,
- cystine-calculi,
- sestina,
- matanuska-susitna,
- cysteine,
- SASDN,
- susitna,
- Sestine,
- cysteine-rich,
- n-acetyl-cysteine,
- xyston,
- SUSTN,
- SJSTEN,
- sustain,
- szczytno.
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