NEM

NEM or N-Ethylmaleimide is a organic compound that is derived from maleic anhydride. It is a reagent used in biochemistry and molecular biology applications. It has the ability to irreversibly inhibit cysteine proteases, and it is often used in their study.

Structure and Properties

NEM is a white crystalline powder. It is soluble in water, ethanol, and ether. Its molecular formula is C6H7NO2, and its molar mass is 125.13 g/mol. The compound has a melting point of 43-46 °C and a boiling point of 125-130 °C at 10 mmHg.

Applications

NEM is used in biochemistry and molecular biology as a cysteine protease inhibitor. It reacts with the thiol group in cysteine to form a stable thioether bond, which prevents the cysteine from participating in protein activity. This makes NEM a useful tool for studying the role of cysteine proteases in biological processes.

NEM is also used in the study of membrane fusion and vesicle trafficking. It can inhibit the fusion of vesicles with target membranes by modifying the cysteine residues in the SNARE proteins that mediate this process.

Safety

NEM is a skin and eye irritant. It can cause burns and serious eye damage. It is harmful if swallowed or inhaled. It is recommended to handle NEM with appropriate protective clothing, gloves, and eye/face protection.

See Also

• Protease inhibitor (biology)
• SNARE (protein)

References

NEM Resources
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