Homocysteine


/ˌhəʊməʊˈsɪstiːn/
noun
1.
an amino acid occurring as an intermediate in the metabolism of methionine. Elevated levels in the blood may indicate increased risk of cardiovascular disease

homocysteine ho·mo·cys·te·ine (hō’mə-sĭs’tə-ēn’, -ĭn, -tē-)
n.
An amino acid that is a homologue of cysteine, is produced by the demethylation of methionine, and forms a complex with serine that metabolizes to produce cysteine and homoserine.
homocysteine
(hō’mə-sĭs’tə-ēn’, -ĭn, -tē-)
An amino acid used normally by the body in cellular metabolism and the manufacture of proteins. Elevated concentrations in the blood are thought to increase the risk for heart disease by damaging the lining of blood vessels and increasing the risk of blood clot formation. High homocysteine levels are associated with certain vitamin deficiencies and metabolic disorders. Chemical formula: C4H9NO2S.

Read Also:

  • Homocystine

    homocystine ho·mo·cys·tine (hō’mə-sĭs’tēn’) n. An amino acid resulting from the oxidation of homocysteine and excreted in the urine in homocystinuria.

  • Homocystinemia

    homocystinemia ho·mo·cys·ti·ne·mi·a (hō’mə-sĭs’tə-nē’mē-ə) n. The presence of an excess of homocystine in plasma.

  • Homocystinuria

    homocystinuria ho·mo·cys·ti·nu·ri·a (hō’mə-sĭs’tə-nur’ē-ə, -nyur’-) n. An inherited metabolic disorder caused by a deficiency of an enzyme important in the metabolism of homocystine and characterized by the excretion of homocystine in the urine, mental retardation, dislocation of the crystalline lens of the eye, sparse blond hair, and cardiovascular and skeletal deformities.

  • Homocytotropic

    homocytotropic ho·mo·cy·to·trop·ic (hō’mō-sī’tə-trŏp’ĭk, -trō’pĭk) adj. Relating to or having an affinity for cells of the species in which it originated, as of an antibody.

  • Homocytotropic antibody

    homocytotropic antibody n. An antibody that has an affinity for mast cells of the same or of a closely related species and that, upon combining with a specific antigen, triggers the release of pharmacological mediators of anaphylaxis from the cells to which it attaches. Also called reaginic antibody.


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