Cysteine is a semiessential proteinogenic amino acid with the formula HOOC−CH(−NH2)−CH2−SH. The thiol side chain in cysteine often participates in enzymatic reactions as a nucleophile. Cysteine is chiral, but both D and L-cysteine are found in nature. L‑Cysteine is a protein monomer in all biota, and D-cysteine acts as a signaling molecule in mammalian nervous systems. Cysteine is named after its discovery in urine, which comes from the urinary bladder or cyst, from Greek κύστη kýsti, "bladder".
Methionine is an essential amino acid in humans.
Sulfur assimilation is the process by which living organisms incorporate sulfur into their biological molecules. In plants, sulfate is absorbed by the roots and then transported to the chloroplasts by the transipration stream where the sulfur are reduced to sulfide with the help of a series of enzymatic reactions. Furthermore, the reduced sulfur is incorporated into cysteine, an amino acid that is a precursor to many other sulfur-containing compounds. In animals, sulfur assimilation occurs primarily through the diet, as animals cannot produce sulfur-containing compounds directly. Sulfur is incorporated into amino acids such as cysteine and methionine, which are used to build proteins and other important molecules.
Cystathionine-β-synthase, also known as CBS, is an enzyme (EC 4.2.1.22) that in humans is encoded by the CBS gene. It catalyzes the first step of the transsulfuration pathway, from homocysteine to cystathionine:
The enzyme cystathionine γ-lyase (EC 4.4.1.1, CTH or CSE; also cystathionase; systematic name L-cystathionine cysteine-lyase (deaminating; 2-oxobutanoate-forming)) breaks down cystathionine into cysteine, 2-oxobutanoate (α-ketobutyrate), and ammonia:
The transsulfuration pathway is a metabolic pathway involving the interconversion of cysteine and homocysteine through the intermediate cystathionine. Two transsulfurylation pathways are known: the forward and the reverse.
O-Acetylserine is an α-amino acid with the chemical formula HO2CCH(NH2)CH2OC(O)CH3. It is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of the common amino acid cysteine in bacteria and plants. O-Acetylserine is biosynthesized by acetylation of the serine by the enzyme serine transacetylase. The enzyme O-acetylserine (thiol)-lyase, using sulfide sources, converts this ester into cysteine, releasing acetate:
The enzyme cysteine lyase catalyzes the chemical reaction
The enzyme L-3-cyanoalanine synthase catalyzes the chemical reaction
The enzyme methionine γ-lyase (EC 4.4.1.11, MGL) is in the γ-family of PLP-dependent enzymes. It degrades sulfur-containing amino acids to α-keto acids, ammonia, and thiols:
In enzymology, a 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reactions of 3-mercaptopyruvate. This enzyme belongs to the family of transferases, specifically the sulfurtransferases. This enzyme participates in cysteine metabolism. It is encoded by the MPST gene.
In enzymology, a serine O-acetyltransferase is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction
In enzymology, a beta-pyrazolylalanine synthase (EC 2.5.1.51) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction
In enzymology, a cystathionine gamma-synthase is an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of cystathionine from cysteine and an activated derivative of homoserine, e.g.:
In enzymology, a L-mimosine synthase (EC 2.5.1.52) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction
In enzymology, an O-acetylhomoserine aminocarboxypropyltransferase is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction
In enzymology, an O-phosphoserine sulfhydrylase is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction
In enzymology, an uracilylalanine synthase (EC 2.5.1.53) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction
In enzymology, a zeatin 9-aminocarboxyethyltransferase is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction
In molecular biology, the Cys/Met metabolism PLP-dependent enzyme family is a family of proteins including enzymes involved in cysteine and methionine metabolism which use PLP (pyridoxal-5'-phosphate) as a cofactor.
