Hungarian National Institute of Oncology

Stories

Researchers discover backup pathway for essential amino acid that may help tumors resist treatment

As of September 2026: Collaborating institution

Every cell needs cysteine to build proteins, stabilize their three-dimensional structure, and defend against oxidative damage. For decades, biologists assumed cells could only get it by breaking down cystine with one of two enzymes — the disulfide reductase systems — and that at least one was essential for life.

Updated Sep 25