Polysulfanes are best for their importance in the vulcanisation of rubber, but certain naturally occurring polysulfanes, such as those in garlic, have generated interest due to their biological activity. In recent years it has been realised that many polysulfanes undergo a myriad of complex reactions in vivo, few of which are fully understood – or have even been investigated yet.
Claus Jacob from Saarland University and team have investigated previously unknown biochemical modes of action of a number of naturally occurring polysulfanes. Using an assay based on the haemolysis of red blood cells as a simple biological model they looked at hydrophobic interactions of the polysulfanes with cell membranes, interactions with metalloproteins and metal-ligand interactions.
Interestingly, the study found (contrary to some previous reports) that redox processes involving thiol/disulfide exchange and S-thiolation of proteins and enzymes were not the sole explanation for the biological activity of polysulfanes. Instead, a combination of redox activity, superoxide generation, hydrophobic interactions with membranes and combined ligand-metal/hydrophobic interactions with certain proteins were together concluded to explain the complex and often selective biological activity. The authors hope that their findings will provide a strong basis for future research in selective cytotoxicity and drug development.
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Interactions of polysulfanes with components of red blood cells
Thomas Schneider, Lalla A. Ba, Khairan Khairan, Clemens Zwergel, Nguyen Duc Bach, Ingolf Bernhardt, Wolfgang Brandt, Ludger Wessjohann, Marc Diederich and Claus Jacob
Med. Chem. Commun., 2011, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C0MD00203H
