cysteine

[ sis-tee-een, -in ]

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

Origin of cysteine

1
First recorded in1880–85; alteration of cystine

Other words from cysteine

  • cys·te·in·ic, adjective

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British Dictionary definitions for cysteine

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

Origin of cysteine

1
C19: variant of cystine

Derived forms of cysteine

  • cysteinic, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for cysteine

cysteine

[ sĭstə-ēn′ ]


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

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