Glyciné

Glyciné is a term found in some texts that may refer to glycine or to glycinate derivatives, and is not a standard name in modern chemical nomenclature. In practice, glyciné commonly appears as a variant spelling or a misspelling of glycine or its salts.

Glycine is the simplest amino acid, with chemical formula NH2-CH2-COOH. It is the smallest proteinogenic amino acid and is achiral because its side chain is a hydrogen atom. At physiological pH it exists mainly as a zwitterion and has pKa values near 2.3 for the carboxyl group and 9.6 for the amino group.

Glycine participates in protein synthesis and serves as a precursor in heme biosynthesis and in the formation of purines. It also acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the spinal cord and brainstem. Industrial and dietary uses include buffering, food additive applications, and cosmetic formulations.

Glycinates are salts formed from glycine, such as calcium glycinate, magnesium glycinate, and zinc glycinate. These compounds are used as dietary supplements and are promoted for favorable absorption in some products.

The spelling glyciné is uncommon in English; in French and many texts glycine is spelled glycine. If glyciné appears, the context is needed to determine whether it refers to glycine itself or to a glycinate derivative.