CYSTEINE SYNTHASE Meaning and
Definition
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Cysteine synthase is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the biosynthesis of cysteine, an essential amino acid in living organisms. Cysteine is important for various biological processes such as protein synthesis, detoxification, and antioxidant defense systems.
The enzyme cysteine synthase, also known as O-acetylserine (thiol) lyase, catalyzes the final step of cysteine biosynthesis. It is responsible for the conversion of O-acetylserine (OAS) to cysteine. This reaction involves the substitution of the sulfhydryl group (–SH) of OAS with a hydrogen atom, forming cysteine and releasing acetate as a byproduct.
Cysteine synthase is found in both plants and microorganisms, and its activity is regulated by various factors such as availability of substrates and feedback inhibition by cysteine. In plants, this enzyme is localized in the chloroplasts, where cysteine is synthesized for protein synthesis and for generating important molecules like glutathione.
The importance of cysteine synthase lies in its role in maintaining cellular redox balance and providing the necessary precursors for the synthesis of other important biomolecules. Deficiencies in cysteine synthase activity can lead to disorders related to cysteine metabolism, affecting various physiological processes.
Research on cysteine synthase has potential biomedical implications, as it can aid in the development of therapeutic strategies for diseases associated with cysteine deficiency or imbalance. Moreover, understanding the regulation of cysteine synthase can contribute to the development of biotechnological approaches to enhance cysteine production in plants or microorganisms for various applications such as improving crop yields or producing cysteine-based medications.
Common Misspellings for CYSTEINE SYNTHASE
- xysteine synthase
- vysteine synthase
- fysteine synthase
- dysteine synthase
- ctsteine synthase
- cgsteine synthase
- chsteine synthase
- custeine synthase
- c7steine synthase
- c6steine synthase
- cyateine synthase
- cyzteine synthase
- cyxteine synthase
- cydteine synthase
- cyeteine synthase
- cywteine synthase
- cysreine synthase
- cysfeine synthase
- cysgeine synthase
- cysyeine synthase
Etymology of CYSTEINE SYNTHASE
The word "cysteine" originates from the Latin word "cysteinum", which is derived from the Greek word "kysteinon". Cysteine is an amino acid that was first isolated from a urinary calculus (a stone formed in the urinary tract) in 1810 by French chemists. The term "synthase" is derived from the combination of two Greek words, "syn" meaning "together" and "thasis" meaning "putting, placing". In biochemistry, "synthase" represents an enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of a particular molecule. Hence, the term "cysteine synthase" refers to an enzyme that helps in the formation or synthesis of the amino acid cysteine.
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