Labeling of cysteine-containing peptides with 2-nitro-5-thiobenzoic acid. 1985

M X Sliwkowski, and R L Levine

A method for specific labeling of cysteine-containing peptides has been developed using Ellman's reagent, 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB). Prior to cleavage with proteases or chemical reagents, proteins are reacted with DTNB, resulting in the formation of a mixed disulfide between the protein sulfhydryl group and 2-nitro-5-thiobenzoic acid (TNB). The formation of the mixed disulfide introduces a chromophore, with an absorbance peak at 328 nm. By monitoring peptide maps generated by HPLC at 210 and 328 nm, peptides containing cysteine residues are readily identified. The stability of the derivative was tested using glutathione-TNB as a model compound. Glutathione-TNB is stable to conditions used for CNBr cleavage, as well as those for tryptic cleavage. The TNB label may also increase the hydrophobicity of small peptides, which otherwise might not bind to reverse-phase matrices. This was the case for an oxidatively modified tetrapeptide isolated from Escherichia coli glutamine synthetase.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009579 Nitrobenzoates Benzoic acid or benzoic acid esters substituted with one or more nitro groups. Nitrobenzoic Acids,Acids, Nitrobenzoic
D010455 Peptides Members of the class of compounds composed of AMINO ACIDS joined together by peptide bonds between adjacent amino acids into linear, branched or cyclical structures. OLIGOPEPTIDES are composed of approximately 2-12 amino acids. Polypeptides are composed of approximately 13 or more amino acids. PROTEINS are considered to be larger versions of peptides that can form into complex structures such as ENZYMES and RECEPTORS. Peptide,Polypeptide,Polypeptides
D002851 Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid Liquid chromatographic techniques which feature high inlet pressures, high sensitivity, and high speed. Chromatography, High Performance Liquid,Chromatography, High Speed Liquid,Chromatography, Liquid, High Pressure,HPLC,High Performance Liquid Chromatography,High-Performance Liquid Chromatography,UPLC,Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography,Chromatography, High-Performance Liquid,High-Performance Liquid Chromatographies,Liquid Chromatography, High-Performance
D003545 Cysteine A thiol-containing non-essential amino acid that is oxidized to form CYSTINE. Cysteine Hydrochloride,Half-Cystine,L-Cysteine,Zinc Cysteinate,Half Cystine,L Cysteine
D004228 Dithionitrobenzoic Acid A standard reagent for the determination of reactive sulfhydryl groups by absorbance measurements. It is used primarily for the determination of sulfhydryl and disulfide groups in proteins. The color produced is due to the formation of a thio anion, 3-carboxyl-4-nitrothiophenolate. 5,5'-Dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic Acid),DTNB,Ellman's Reagent,5,5'-Dithiobis(nitrobenzoate),Acid, Dithionitrobenzoic,Ellman Reagent,Ellmans Reagent,Reagent, Ellman's
D013438 Sulfhydryl Compounds Compounds containing the -SH radical. Mercaptan,Mercapto Compounds,Sulfhydryl Compound,Thiol,Thiols,Mercaptans,Compound, Sulfhydryl,Compounds, Mercapto,Compounds, Sulfhydryl

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