Sulfhydryls containing

Salim, A.S. (1992a). Role of sulfhydryl-containing agents in the healing of erosive gastritis and chronic gastric ulceration in the rat. J. Pharm. Sci. 81, 70-73. 

Humans may be exposed to hydrogen sulfide both from its endogenous production or from exogenous sources. Most endogenous production apparently results from the metabolism of sulfhydryl-containing amino acids, e.g., cysteine, by bacteria present in both the intestinal tract and the mouth (Beauchamp et al. 1994 Tonzetich and Carpenter 1971) however, it is also produced in the brain and several smooth muscles, e.g., thoraic aorta, by enzymes found in these tissues (Abe and Kimura 1996 Hosoki et al. 1997). 

The application of magnetic resonance techniques to biological systems is a relatively new approach for the study of macromolecules. In this review we have presented the different approaches which have been made to study Bi2-enzymes. Clearly some progress has been made particularly from the application of ESR to a study of the enzymes ethanolamine ammonia-lyase and ribonucleotide reductase. Although 13C NMR is well in its developmental stages it is obvious that this technique will prove to be very useful for the examination of coenzyme-enzyme interactions. Studies of how corrinoids bind in enzymes and how sulfhydryl containing proteins are involved in enzyme catalysis comprise two major problems which must be overcome before realistic mechanisms can be presented for this group of enzymes. 

Figure 1.73 The disulfide group of a cystamine-modified protein may undergo disulfide interchange reactions with another sulfhydryl-containing protein to yield a disulfide-linked conjugate.

Purify the reduced IgG from excess 2-mercaptoethylamine and reaction by-products by dialysis or gel filtration using a desalting resin. All buffers should contain 1-10 mM EDTA to preserve the free sulfhydryls from metal-catalyzed oxidation. The sulfhydryl-containing half antibody now may be used in conjugation protocols that use —SH-reactive heterobifunctional crosslinkers (Chapter 5, Section 1). 

Regenerate the sulfhydryl containing support by following steps 2 and 3 above. Such columns can be regenerated and reused at least 10 times without any significant decrease in the reductive capacity. 

Dissolve the sulfhydryl-containing protein or macromolecule to be modified at a concentration of l-10mg/ml in 50mM Tris, 0.15M NaCl, 5mM EDTA, pH 8.5. EDTA is present to prevent metal-catalyzed oxidation of sulfhydryl groups. The presence of Tris, an amine-containing buffer, should not affect the efficiency of sulfhydryl modification. Not only do amines generally react slower than sulfhydryls, the amine in Tris buffer is of particularly low reactivity. If Tris does pose a problem, however, use 0.1M sodium phosphate, 0.15M NaCl, 5mM EDTA, pH 8.0. 

Figure 1.121 Sodium tetrathionate reacts with thiols to form reactive sulfenylthiosulfate intermediates. Another sulfhydryl-containing molecule may couple to this active group to create a disulfide linkage.

Figure 4.18 BMH contains two maleimide groups specific for crosslinking sulfhydryl-containing molecules. The thioether bonds that are formed are stable.

Most of the bis-alkyl halides referenced in the literature are unavailable commercially, and therefore must be synthesized. Some key references to the preparation and use of these compounds for the crosslinking of sulfhydryl-containing proteins and other molecules include Goodlad (1957), Segal and Hurwitz (1976), Ewig and Kohn (1977), Wilchek and Givol (1977), Prestayko et al. (1981), Luduena et al. (1982), Hiratsuka (1988), and Aliosman et al. (1989). 

Figure 5.2 SPDP can react with amine-containing molecules through its NHS ester end to form amide bonds. The pyridyl disulfide group then can be coupled to a sulfhydryl-containing molecule to create a cleavable disulfide bond.

Dissolve a protein or macromolecule containing primary amines at a concentration of 10 mg/ml in 50 mM sodium phosphate, 0.15 M NaCl, pH 7.2. Other non-amine-containing buffers such as borate, HEPES, and bicarbonate also may be used in this reaction. Avoid sulfhydryl-containing components in the reaction mixture as these will react with the pyridyl disulfide end of SPDP. The effective pH for the NHS ester modification reaction is in the range of 7-9, but hydrolysis will increase at the higher end of this range. 

Figure 5.3 SMPT can form crosslinks between an amine-containing molecule and a sulfhydryl-containing compound through amide and disulfide linkages, respectively. The hindered nature of the disulfide group provides better stability toward reduction and cleavage.

Figure 5.4 SMCC reacts with amine-containing molecules to form stable amide bonds. Its maleimide end then may be conjugated to a sulfhydryl-containing compound to create a thioether linkage.

The following is a generalized protocol for the activation of a protein with sulfo-SMCC with subsequent conjugation to a sulfhydryl-containing second molecule or protein. Specific examples of the use of this crosslinker to make antibody-enzyme or hapten-carrier conjugates may be found in Chapter 20, Section 1.1 and Chapter 19, Section 5, respectively. 

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