A Reducing Agent DL-dithiothreitol

DL-dithiothreitol (DTT) is a strong reductant with anti-disulfidptosis activity. It is an antioxidant used to stabilize enzymes and other proteins containing sulfhydryl groups.  DTT can also be used for reducing the disulfide bridge of the cross-linker N,N'-bis(acryloyl)cystamine to break apart the matrix of a polyacrylamide gel.

A disulfide reducing agent

The potent disulfide reducing agent, dl-dithiothreitol, may alter the structural stability of the GABAB receptor, probably inactivating the disulfide bonds be tween four cysteine residues located in the GABAB1(a) receptor structure.

DTT prevented the sedative/hypnotic effect of all GABAB receptor agonists tested and also reversed baclofen-induced sedation/hypnosis. In contrast, DTT had no effect on, or even potentiated, sedation/ hypnosis produced by diazepam, ketamine or ethanol. DTT completely blocked the discriminative stimulus effects of GHB. Conclusions: These results are discussed in terms of DTT altering the stability of the binding domain of the GABAB receptor, hindering the drug receptor interaction.