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S-[2-Carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]cysteine in normal human urine
1Department of Biochemistry, Okayama University Medical School, 2-5-1 Shikatacho, 700, Okayama, Japan.
Amino Acids
|November 7, 2013
Summary
Researchers identified a compound in human urine matching S-[2-carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]cysteine (I). This suggests compound I is a physiological precursor to another important compound, aiding in understanding metabolic pathways.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Human Physiology
- Metabolomics
Background:
- Understanding the metabolic fate of imidazole-containing compounds is crucial.
- Previous research has identified 3-[(carboxymethyl)thio]-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)propanoic acid.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize a specific compound in human urine.
- To determine if this urinary compound is related to known metabolic pathways.
Main Methods:
- Partial purification of the urinary compound using ion-exchange column chromatography.
- Analysis of the compound's mobility on high-voltage paper electrophoresis and R F value on thin-layer chromatography.
- Mass spectrometry (FAB-MS) to determine the molecular weight and structure.
Main Results:
- A compound with identical chromatographic properties to S-[2-carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]cysteine (I) was isolated from human urine.
- FAB mass spectrum analysis yielded a signal at m/z 260, consistent with the protonated molecule of compound I (MH+).
Conclusions:
- The identified urinary compound is strongly suggested to be S-[2-carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]cysteine (I).
- Compound I is proposed to be a physiological precursor to 3-[(carboxymethyl)thio]-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)propanoic acid.
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