from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Serine \Ser"ine\ (s[e^]r"[=e]n; s[e^]r"[i^]n; also, less
correctly, s[=e]r"[=e]n), n. [L. sericus silken.] (Chem.)
one of the natural L-amino acids, obtainable as a white
crystalline nitrogenous substance by the action of dilute
sulphuric acid on silk gelatin. It is found in many proteins,
and, having a free primary hydroxyl group on the side chain,
is involved in the catalytic action at the active site of
some enzymes, such as proteases. The IUPAC abbreviation for
serine in protein sequences is Ser. Chemically it is
2-amino-3-hydroxy-propanoic acid ({C3H7NO3}),
{HO.CH2.CH(NH2).COOH}.
[1913 Webster +PJC] Serio-comic