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l ‐Cysteine metabolism and its nutritional implications
Author(s) -
Yin Jie,
Ren Wenkai,
Yang Guan,
Duan Jielin,
Huang Xingguo,
Fang Rejun,
Li Chongyong,
Li Tiejun,
Yin Yulong,
Hou Yongqing,
Kim Sung Woo,
Wu Guoyao
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
molecular nutrition and food research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.495
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1613-4133
pISSN - 1613-4125
DOI - 10.1002/mnfr.201500031
Subject(s) - cysteine , glutathione , cystine , cysteine metabolism , taurine , biochemistry , extracellular , metabolism , intracellular , amino acid , chemistry , catabolism , cysteic acid , enzyme
l ‐Cysteine is a nutritionally semiessential amino acid and is present mainly in the form of l ‐cystine in the extracellular space. With the help of a transport system, extracellular l ‐cystine crosses the plasma membrane and is reduced to l ‐cysteine within cells by thioredoxin and reduced glutathione (GSH). Intracellular l ‐cysteine plays an important role in cellular homeostasis as a precursor for protein synthesis, and for production of GSH, hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), and taurine. l ‐Cysteine‐dependent synthesis of GSH has been investigated in many pathological conditions, while the pathway for l ‐cysteine metabolism to form H 2 S has received little attention with regard to prevention and treatment of disease in humans. The main objective of this review is to highlight the metabolic pathways of l ‐cysteine catabolism to GSH, H 2 S, and taurine, with special emphasis on therapeutic and nutritional use of l ‐cysteine to improve the health and well‐being of animals and humans.