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Ellman's reagent
Introduction
Ellman’s reagent (5, 5′-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) or DTNB) is a chemical used for measuring the amount of thiol groups.[1] The compound reacts with a thiol group to release 2-nitro-5-mercaptobenzoic acid (TNB), which has a strong yellow color in water at neutral and alkaline pH. This reaction is rapid and stochiometric, with the addition of one mole of thiol releasing one mole of TNB. The TNB– is quantified in a spectrophotometer by measuring the absorbance of TNB of visible light at 412 nm, using an extinction coefficient of 14,140 M cm−1.[2]
Ellman’s reagent can be used for measuring low-molecular mass thiols such as glutathione in both pure solutions and biological samples, such as blood.[3] It can also measure the number of thiol groups on proteins.[4]
References
References
- ↑ Ellman GL (1959). “Tissue sulfhydryl groups”. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 82 (1): 70–7. PMID 13650640.
- ↑ Collier HB (1973). “Letter: A note on the molar absorptivity of reduced Ellman’s reagent, 3-carboxylato-4-nitrothiophenolate”. Anal. Biochem. 56 (1): 310–1. PMID 4764694.
- ↑ Sedlak J, Lindsay RH (1968). “Estimation of total, protein-bound, and nonprotein sulfhydryl groups in tissue with Ellman’s reagent”. Anal. Biochem. 25 (1): 192–205. PMID 4973948.
- ↑ Riener CK, Kada G, Gruber HJ (2002). “Quick measurement of protein sulfhydryls with Ellman’s reagent and with 4,4′-dithiodipyridine”. Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry. 373 (4–5): 266–76. PMID 12110978.