Dithioerythritol

Dithioerythritol (DTE) is a sulfur-containing sugar derivative used in the laboratory for reducing disulfide bonds. This compound is a common reagent in biological research where it is used to maintain proteins in a reduced state.

Chemical Structure and Properties

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Chemical structure of Dithioerythritol

Dithioerythritol is a four-carbon sugar alcohol with two sulfhydryl groups (-SH). The molecule is chiral, with two stereocenters, giving rise to two pairs of enantiomers. Dithioerythritol is a white, crystalline solid at room temperature and is soluble in water, ethanol, and acetone. Its chemical formula is C4H10O2S2 and its molecular weight is 154.25 g/mol.

Uses in Research

Dithioerythritol is primarily used in biological research as a reducing agent to break disulfide bonds in proteins. This is important in protein purification and characterization studies, where maintaining the protein in a reduced state can prevent aggregation and facilitate analysis. Dithioerythritol is often used in conjunction with chaotropic agents, which disrupt the non-covalent interactions in proteins.

Safety and Handling

Dithioerythritol is generally considered safe to handle in the laboratory. However, as with all chemicals, it should be handled with care. Direct contact with the skin or eyes should be avoided, and it should not be ingested or inhaled. In case of contact, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice.

See Also

• Thiols
• Disulfide bond
• Protein purification
• Chaotropic agent