(biochemistry) Used, as a modification of -ine, to form the names of a variety of types of compound; examples include proteins (globulin), carbohydrates (dextrin), dyes (alizarin) and others (vanillin).
1A horny, sulfur-containing protein, related to keratin, that forms the skeletal structure of certain classes of sponges. A proteinaceous compound of which the spicules in Demospongiae are composed.