Definition of homocysteine
: an amino acid C4H9NO2S that is produced in animal metabolism by the demethylation of methionine and that appears to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease when occurring at high levels in the blood
From the M-W Editors
Recent Examples of homocysteine from the Web
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Research shows that homocysteine levels tend to be elevated in people whose diets are high in animal protein.
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One of the markers for inflammation in the body is a nonprotein amino acid called homocysteine.
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Origin and Etymology of homocysteine
International Scientific Vocabulary hom- + cysteine
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of homocysteine
: an amino acid C4H9NO2S that is produced in animal metabolism by the demethylation of methionine and forms a complex with serine that breaks up to produce cysteine and homoserine and that appears to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease when occurring at high levels in the blood
Learn More about homocysteine
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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about homocysteine
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