HealthAugust 10, 2026

cysteine

SIS-teen

Definition

A sulfur-containing amino acid that plays a critical role in protein structure and metabolic regulation within cells.

Etymology

The term was coined in 1899 from the Greek word 'kystis' (bladder or cyst), as it was originally isolated from bladder stones.

In the news

The article discusses how metabolic processes modify cysteine residues in proteins, highlighting how this amino acid acts as a sensor that helps cancer cells adapt to their environment.

Mapping how metabolism rewires protein function in cancer

Read the full article ↗

EurekAlert!

Related words

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.