The degradation of cysteine starts with L-cysteine reacting with l-cysteine desulfhydrase resulting in the release of a hydrogen sulfide, a hydrogen ion and a a 2-aminoprop-2-enoate. The latter compound in turn reacts spontaneously to form a 2-iminopropanoate. This compound in turn reacts spontaneously with water and a hydrogen ion resulting in the release of ammonium and pyruvate.

L-Cysteine Degradation References