Cysteine (symbol Cys or C;[5]/ˈsɪstɪiːn/)[6] is a semiessential[7]proteinogenic amino acid with the formulaHOOC−CH(−NH2)−CH2−SH. The thiol side chain in cysteine enables the formation of disulfide bonds, and often participates in enzymatic reactions as a nucleophile. Cysteine is chiral, but both D and L-cysteine are found in nature. L‑Cysteine is a protein monomer in all biota, and D-cysteine acts as a signaling molecule in mammalian nervous systems.[8] Cysteine is named after its discovery in urine, which comes from the urinary bladder or cyst, from Greek κύστη kýsti, "bladder".[9]
The thiol is susceptible to oxidation to give the disulfide derivative cystine, which serves an important structural role in many proteins. In this case, the symbol Cyx is sometimes used.[10][11] The deprotonated form can generally be described by the symbol Cym as well.[11][12]
When used as a food additive, cysteine has the E number E920.
^Weast, Robert C., ed. (1981). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (62nd ed.). Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press. p. C-259. ISBN0-8493-0462-8..
^"Nomenclature and symbolism for amino acids and peptides (IUPAC-IUB Recommendations 1983)". Pure and Applied Chemistry. 56 (5): 595–624. 1984. doi:10.1351/pac198456050595.