DITHIOTHREITOL Meaning and
Definition
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Dithiothreitol (DTT) is a chemical compound commonly used in laboratories and pharmaceutical research. It is known as a reducing agent, which means that it has the ability to donate electrons to other molecules, thus bringing about a reduction reaction. DTT consists of a molecule with a central carbon atom bonded to two thiol groups (sulfur atoms), and two hydroxyl (-OH) groups attached to the carbon atom. Its molecular formula is C4H10O2S2.
In laboratory settings, DTT is primarily used to break disulfide bonds, which are strong covalent bonds that form between two sulfur atoms. These bonds can be found in proteins and other biological molecules, and are critical for their structure and function. However, disulfide bonds can hinder certain experimental techniques or cause denaturation of proteins, hence the need for DTT. By donating electrons, DTT cleaves disulfide bonds and converts them into two separate thiol groups, effectively reducing the compound.
DTT is also used as a stabilizing agent or as an antioxidant in the preservation of lab samples, as it can prevent oxidation reactions by scavenging free radicals. Its ability to maintain stable conditions within the lab environment makes it an indispensable tool for various scientific disciplines, including biochemistry, molecular biology, and biotechnology.
Overall, DTT is a versatile reducing agent commonly employed in laboratory research to disrupt disulfide bonds and to prevent oxidation, enabling scientists to study and manipulate proteins and other biomolecules effectively.
Common Misspellings for DITHIOTHREITOL
- sithiothreitol
- xithiothreitol
- cithiothreitol
- fithiothreitol
- rithiothreitol
- eithiothreitol
- duthiothreitol
- djthiothreitol
- dkthiothreitol
- dothiothreitol
- d9thiothreitol
- d8thiothreitol
- dirhiothreitol
- difhiothreitol
- dighiothreitol
- diyhiothreitol
- di6hiothreitol
- di5hiothreitol
- ditgiothreitol
- ditbiothreitol
Etymology of DITHIOTHREITOL
The word "Dithiothreitol" is derived from its chemical structure. Each part of the term represents a specific aspect of the compound:
1. "Dithio" comes from the prefix "di-", meaning two, and "thio-", referring to the presence of sulfur atoms in the compound. In this case, "dithio" indicates that there are two sulfur atoms present.
2. "Threitol" refers to a specific type of sugar alcohol called threose, which has four carbons. The suffix "-itol" is commonly used for sugar alcohols.
Therefore, "Dithiothreitol" indicates a compound with two sulfur atoms and a sugar alcohol structure based on threose.
