Chemical Properties
white to light beige fine crystalline powder
Uses
S-Methyl-L-cysteine is a substrate in the catalytic antioxidant system mediated by methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MSRA). It has been studied as a theurapeutic for neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson′s.
Definition
ChEBI: A cysteine derivative that is L-cysteine in which the hydrogen attached to the sulfur is replaced by a methyl group.
Biological Activity
S-Methyl-L-cysteine (SMLC) is a substrate in the catalytic antioxidant system mediated by methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MSRA). SMLC is naturally present in garlic, cabbage, and turnips and has been studied as a theurapeutic for neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinsonμs.
When used as a dietary supplement in the Drosphilia model of PD, SMLC increases the efficacy of the MRSA catalytic antioxidant system by providing additional substrate available leading to increased resistance to oxidative stress.
Purification Methods
Likely impurities are cysteine and S-methyl-dl-cysteine. Crystallise it from H2O by adding 4volumes of EtOH. It also crystallises from MeOH with m 234-236o(dec), but after sublimation i t has m 267-270o and [] 27D -31.6o (c 1, H2O). [Rinderknecht et al. Helv Chim Acta 41 1, 10 1958, Theodoropoulos Acta Chem Scand 13 383 1959, Greenstein & Winitz The Chemistry of the Amino Acids J. Wiley, Vol 3 p 1904 1961, Beilstein 4 IV 3145.]
