Dithiol Based on l-Cysteine and Cysteamine as a Disulfide-Reducing Agent.

We report the synthesis, chemical properties, and disulfide bond-reducing performance of a dithiol called NACMEAA, conceived as a hybrid of two biologically relevant thiols: cysteine and cysteamine. NACMEAA is conveniently prepared from inexpensive l-cystine in an efficient manner. As a nonvolatile, highly soluble, and neutral compound at physiological pH with the first thiol p K a value of 8.0, NACMEAA is reactive and user-friendly. We also demonstrate that NACMEAA reduces disulfide bonds in GSSG and lysozyme.