Cystine

Not to be confused with cytosine, cysteine, cytisine, or cytidine.

Cystine

Identifiers
CAS Number	56-89-3 Y
ChEBI	CHEBI:35492 Y
ChEMBL	ChEMBL366563 Y
ChemSpider	575 Y
IUPHAR/BPS	5413
Jmol 3D model	Interactive image
KEGG	C01420 Y
PubChem	67678
UNII	48TCX9A1VT Y
InChI InChI=1S/C6H12N2O4S2/c7-3(5(9)10)1-13-14-2-4(8)6(11)12/h3-4H,1-2,7-8H2,(H,9,10)(H,11,12) Y Key: LEVWYRKDKASIDU-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y InChI=1/C6H12N2O4S2/c7-3(5(9)10)1-13-14-2-4(8)6(11)12/h3-4H,1-2,7-8H2,(H,9,10)(H,11,12) Key: LEVWYRKDKASIDU-UHFFFAOYAA
SMILES C(C(C(=O)O)N)SSCC(C(=O)O)N
Properties
Chemical formula	C6H12N2O4S2
Molar mass	240.29 g·mol−1
Vapor pressure	{{{value}}}
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
N verify (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

Cystine is the amino acid with the formula (SCH₂CH(NH₂)CO₂H)₂. It is a white solid that is slightly soluble in water. Each molecule of cystine is made from two molecules of cysteine, another sulfur-containing amino acid that, as its name suggests, is very similar to cystine, with which it can be interconverted. It serves two biological functions, a site of redox reactions and a mechanical linkage that allows proteins to retain their 3-dimensional structure. It is a nonessential amino acid, which means that the human body can synthesize it.

Formation and reactions

It is common in many foods such as eggs, meat, dairy products, and whole grains as well as skin, horns and hair. It was not recognized as being derived of proteins until it was isolated from the horn of a cow in 1899. Human hair and skin contain approximately 10–14% cystine by mass. It was discovered in 1810 by William Hyde Wollaston.

Redox

It is formed from the oxidation of two cysteine molecules, via the formation of a disulfide bond. In cell biology, cystine (found in proteins) can only exist in non-reductive (oxidative) organelles, such as the secretory pathway (ER, Golgi, Lysosomes, Vesicles and ECM). Meaning that in reductive conditions (Cytoplasm, Nucleus, etc.) cysteine is favorably found. The disulfide link is readily reduced to give the corresponding thiol cysteine. Typical thiols for this reaction are mercaptoethanol and dithiothreitol:

(SCH₂CH(NH₂)CO₂H)₂ + 2 RSH → 2 HSCH₂CH(NH₂)CO₂H + RSSR

Because of the facility of the thiol-disulfide exchange, the nutritional benefits and sources of cystine are identical to those for the more-common cysteine. Disulfide bonds cleave more rapidly at higher temperatures.

Cystine-based disorders

The presence of cystine in urine is often indicative of amino acid reabsorption defects. Cystinuria has been reported to occur in dogs. In humans the excretion of high levels of cystine crystals can be indicative of cystinosis, a rare genetic disease.

Biological transport

Cystine serves as a substrate for the cystine-glutamate antiporter. This transport system, which is highly specific for cystine and glutamate, increases the concentration of cystine inside the cell. In this system, the anionic form of cystine is transported in exchange for glutamate. Cystine is quickly reduced to cysteine. Cysteine prodrugs, e.g. acetylcysteine, induce release of glutamate into the extracellular space.

Cystine hair nutritional supplements

Cysteine supplements are sometimes marketed as anti-aging products with claims of improved skin elasticity. Cysteine is more easily absorbed by the body than cystine, so most supplements contain cysteine rather than cystine. N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) is better absorbed than other cysteine or cystine supplements.

See also

• Lanthionine, similar with mono-sulfide link
• Protein tertiary structure
• Sullivan reaction