Cysteine

Author:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer

All authors of this article

Last updated on: 29.10.2020

Dieser Artikel auf Deutsch

Synonym(s)

L-Cysteine

Requires free registration (medical professionals only)

Please login to access all articles, images, and functions.

Our content is available exclusively to medical professionals. If you have already registered, please login. If you haven't, you can register for free (medical professionals only).


Requires free registration (medical professionals only)

Please complete your registration to access all articles and images.

To gain access, you must complete your registration. You either haven't confirmed your e-mail address or we still need proof that you are a member of the medical profession.

Finish your registration now

DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

Proteinogenic amino acid, which is a component of almost all proteins in which an SH group or the S-S bridges derived from it are of particular importance for the structure and function of the protein in question Cysteine can be traced back to various proteins. ways. Some microorganisms can incorporate organic sulphur directly into cysteine and the enzymes that catalyse this step are called cysteine synthases.

Cysteine can be broken down in 3 ways to pyruvate (pyruvic acid).

  • The cysteine transaminase converts cysteine into mercaptopyruvate.
  • The cysteine dioxygenase converts cysteine into cysteic acid.
  • Cysteine gamma lyase converts cysteine into pyruvate by splitting off alanine, Nh3 and H2S.

L-cysteine is authorised as a food additive(E 920)

Authors

Last updated on: 29.10.2020

Author: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer