Cysteine
Cysteine: An amino acid, one of the 20 building blocks of protein. Cysteine can be synthesized by the body and is not essential to the diet. Its key chemical feature is a thiol group that contains sulfur. This thiol group can combine with the thiol group of another cysteine to form a disulfide bridge, which helps structural proteins and enzymes maintain their configuration. Two cysteine molecules linked by a disulfide bridge make up the amino acid cystine. The symbol for cysteine is Cys.
Read Also:
- Cystic acne
This is a type of localized inflammation (abscess) formed when oil ducts become clogged and subsequently rupture. Cystic acne is most common in the teenage years. Treatment includes topical and systemic antibiotics, topical retinoids and isotretinoin, a systemic retinoid. Cystic acne can cause permanent scarring in severe cases.
- Cystic fibrosis
A common grave genetic disease that affects the exocrine glands and is characterized by the production of abnormal secretions, leading to mucus buildup that impairs the pancreas and, secondarily, the intestine. Mucus buildup in lungs can impair respiration. Abbreviated CF. Without treatment, CF results in death for 95 percent of affected children before age 5; […]
- Cystic periventricular leukomalacia
Cystic periventricular leukomalacia: Softening of the white matter near the ventricles of the brain resulting in abnormal cysts. Cystic periventricular leukomalacia is a major problem in very premature infants. Treating the mother with a cortisone-like drug before the premature birth has been discovered to protect the baby’s brain from this complication. A research team reported […]
- Cysticercosis
An infection caused by the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium. Infection occurs when the tapeworm larvae enter the body and form cysts called cysticerci. When cysticerci are found in the brain, the condition is called neurocysticercosis. Cysticercosis is contracted by accidentally swallowing pork tapeworm eggs. Tapeworm eggs are passed in the bowel movement of a person […]
- Cysticercus
Cysticercus: The larval form of any of the Taenia tapeworms. The plural is cysticerci. Infection with cysticerci is referred to as cysticercosis.