Analysis Note:
Useful for stabilizing sulfhydryl-containing enzymes
Applications:
Dithiothreitol is useful for stabilizing sulfhydryl containing enzymes. Effective in sample buffers for reducing protein disulfide bonds prior to SDS-PAGE. DTT can also be used for reducing the disulfide bridge of the cross-linker N,N'-bis(acryloyl)cystamine to break apart the matrix of a polyacrylamide gel. DTT is less pungent and is less toxic than 2-mercaptoethanol.
Product Description:
DL-Dithiothreitol is also known as Clelands reagent; Protective agent for sulfhydryl groups (-SH). Quantitatively reduces disulfides (-S-S- to -SH). In this reaction the DTT is oxidized to the cyclic disulfide which ensures the reduction of other disulfides in solution. Disulfide reduction occurs quickly at pH 8.
Typical Working Concentration:
Typically, a seven fold lower concentration of DTT (100 mM) is needed than is used for 2-mercaptoethanol (5% v/v, 700 mM).