Methylthio-group turnover

Figure 2. Proposed pathway for reductive defunctionalization (see text) and methylthio-group turnover observed in hexachlorobenzene metabolism.

Methylthio-Group Turnover. The sequence of events which result in the introduction of methylthio-groups into xenobiotics also results in metabolic turnover of methylthio-groups. Methylthio-group turnover is outlined in the three cyclic processes shown in figure 2. This process was shown to occur in the metabolism of bls(methyl-thiojtetrachlorobenzene (48), and is also functioning in the metabolism of pentachlorothioanisole (unpublished). 

Sulfoxidation also may be involved in other aspects of the metabolism of methylthio-containing compounds. Methylsulfoxyl- and methylsulfonyl-groups are better leaving groups for displacement by GSH, and may play a role in the methylthio-turnover observed in the metabolism of bis(methylthio)tetrachlorobenzene (48). Methylthio-turnover will be considered later. 

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