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Updated: Jul 29, 2026

Synthesis of a Thiol Building Block for the Crystallization of a Semiconducting Gyroidal Metal-sulfur Framework
Published on: April 9, 2018
Novel thiols of prokaryotes
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA. rcfahey@ucsd.edu
This review explores unique thiols in bacteria lacking glutathione, revealing their roles in energy conversion and sulfide metabolism. These novel compounds, including mycothiol, highlight diverse biochemical strategies in prokaryotes.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Glutathione is a key thiol in many prokaryotes, but absent in others.
- This review examines novel thiols in bacteria that do not utilize glutathione.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review novel thiols found in bacteria lacking glutathione.
- To summarize available data on biosynthesis and metabolism of these thiols.
- To identify key areas for future research.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on thiol metabolism in prokaryotes.
Main Results:
- Novel thiols like glutathione amide and its perthiol are found in purple sulfur bacteria, involved in sulfide metabolism.
- Methanogens utilize coenzyme M and coenzyme B for methane production and energy conversion.
- Halobacteria and actinomycetes produce unique thiols such as gamma-glutamylcysteine and mycothiol, with mycothiol having an antioxidant role.
Conclusions:
- Bacteria lacking glutathione possess diverse novel thiols with specialized metabolic functions.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the biosynthesis, metabolism, and roles of these unique thiol compounds.
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