DL-DITHIOTHREITOL

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. Typically, a seven fold lower concentration of DTT (100 mM) is needed than is used for 2-mercaptoethanol (5% v/v, 700 mM).

DTT has been used:
• as one of the reactants in the reduction and alkylation of αs1-Casein, the major allergen of cow′s milk.
• as a component of medium for the demembranation and reactivation of spermatozoa.
• to maintain stability of the enzyme as thiol effectively protects the active sites of the biocatalyst.
• as a reducing agent to test the specificity of the reaction of N-Ethylmaleimide with sulfhydryl groups.

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.