D,L-Dithiothreitol (DTT), known also as Cleland reagent, is a thiol group p
rotectant, used commonly in peptide and protein chemistry. Therefore, it is
often added at high concentrations in preparations of proteins relevant to
heavy metal biochemistry. The coordination of five of these metal ions, Zn
(II), Cd(II), Pb(II), NI(II) and Cu(I) to DTT was studied by means of poten
tiometric titrations, and UV-Vis and NMR spectroscopies. It was found that
DTT forms specific and very stable polymeric and monomeric complexes with a
ll of these metal ions, using both of its sulfur donors. The quantitative d
escription of these complexes in solution and the solid state provides the
basis for predictions of interference from DTT in studies of metal ion bind
ing of thiol-containing biomolecules. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All ri
ghts reserved.