Chemical Properties
white powder
Uses
DL-Homocysteine has been used to induce hyperhomocysteinemia in Sprague–Dawley rats. It has also been used to study the effects of hyperhomocysteinemia on atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.
Definition
ChEBI: A sulfur-containing amino acid consisting of a glycine core with a 2-mercaptoethyl side-chain.
Biochem/physiol Actions
Homocysteine is a sulfhydryl-containing amino acid, synthesized from methionine. It is a non-essential, non-proteinogenic amino acid. It is an important determinant of the methylation cycle and is present in the plasma in four forms. An abnormally high level of homocysteine leads to hyperhomocysteinemia and also promotes atherosclerosis.
Purification Methods
Purify it as for the L-isomer. [Allen & Steinmann J Am Chem Soc 74 3932 1952, and references for the L-isomer above, Beilstein 4 IV 3189.]
