cysteine

[ sis-tee-een, -in ]
/ ˈsɪs tiˌin, -ɪn /

noun Biochemistry.

a crystalline amino acid, C3H7O2NS, a component of nearly all proteins, obtained by the reduction of cystine. Abbreviation: Cys; Symbol: C

Origin of cysteine

First recorded in 1880–85; alteration of cystine

OTHER WORDS FROM cysteine

cys·te·in·ic, adjective

Words nearby cysteine

cystathionine gamma-synthase, cystathioninuria, cystectasia, cystectomy, cysteic acid, cysteine, cysti-, cystic, cystic acne, cystic artery, cystic disease of breast

Example sentences from the Web for cysteine

British Dictionary definitions for cysteine

cysteine
/ (ˈsɪstɪˌiːn, -ɪn) /

noun

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

Derived forms of cysteine

cysteinic, adjective

Word Origin for cysteine

C19: variant of cystine

Medical definitions for cysteine

cysteine
[ sĭs′tē-ēn′, -ĭn, sĭ-stē′ĭn ]

n.

An alpha-amino acid found in most proteins and especially abundant in keratin.

Scientific definitions for cysteine

cysteine
[ sĭs′tə-ēn′ ]

A nonessential amino acid. Chemical formula: C3H7NO2S. See more at amino acid.