cystine

[ sis-teen, -tin ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. a crystalline amino acid, C 6 H 12 O 4 N 2 S 2 , occurring in most proteins, especially the keratins in hair, wool, and horn, and yielding cysteine on reduction.

cystine

/ ˈsɪstiːn; -tɪn /

noun

1. a sulphur-containing amino acid present in proteins: yields two molecules of cysteine on reduction. Formula: HOOCCH(NH 2 )CH 2 SSCH 2 CH(NH 2 )COOH

Word History and Origins

Origin of cystine¹

1835–45; cyst- + -ine ²; so called because found in the bladder

Word History and Origins

Origin of cystine¹

C19: see cysto- (bladder), -ine ²; named from its being discovered in a type of urinary calculus

Example Sentences

Treatment consists of medications that work to lower the level of cystine in the body, as well as therapies that address the impaired growth of these children due to the inability to properly absorb nutrients.

From Science Daily

The therapy doesn’t have to get into all cells to work, just enough of them to make sufficient amounts of the protein that removes cystine so it doesn’t build up.

From Seattle Times

Specifically, system xc-’s uptake of one molecule of cystine leads to the release of one molecule of glutamate from the cell.

From Scientific American

The defect causes the amino acid cystine to accumulate to toxic levels in tissues throughout the body, doing particular damage to the kidneys.

From Scientific American

To make them more efficient, the researchers first fed the bacteria a chemical called cadmium and a compound called cystine.

From The Verge