[Cysteine--an essential amino acid? Biochemical thoughts about the position of cysteine in the metabolism of the premature neonate (author's transl)].
Liver cystathionase activity is absent in the fetal organism. This makes cysteine an essential amino acid for the prematurely born infant. The existing enzyme activity is shifting serine into DNA-synthesis. The placental transfer of cysteine from the mother to the fetus is decreased in comparison to other amino acids. A low fetal cysteine level is giving the shift to DNA-synthesis a further stimulation.
D000601:Amino Acids, Essential / Q000378:metabolism*; D003542:Cystathionine gamma-Lyase / Q000032:analysis; D003545:Cysteine / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D011247:Pregnancy
D000601:Amino Acids, Essential; D003542:Cystathionine gamma-Lyase; D003545:Cysteine
Cystein--Eine essentielle Aminosäure? Biochemische Uberlegungen zur Stellung von Cystein im Stoffwechsel des Früh- und Neugeborenen