Carbon-sulfur groups
Carbon-sulfur linkages are integral to the complex structure of proteins and are necessary for proper protein folding.
- Sulfhydryl groups
- Disulfides
Carbon-Sulfur
common functional groups in biochemistry
These functional groups define common molecules, compounds, and reactions in biochemistry, including biochemical polymers such as proteins, DNA and carbohydrates.
FOUR GROUPS
- Carbon-oxygen groups
- Carbon-nitrogen groups
- Carbon-sulfur groups
- Esters & Amides
Carbon-sulfur functional groups
Sulfhydryl group (Thiols)
- We connect an R to an SH.
Sulfhydrl groups are integral to enzyme function; they are in enzyme active sites and contribute to catalytic activity.
They are part of many cofactors, including coenzyme A, which is important in fatty acid biosynthesis and the Krebs cycle.
Disulfides
- Two sulfhydryl groups may react to form disulfide linkages.
- We connect an R to a sulfur, which itself is connected to a sulfur, which is connected to an R.
Disulfides are important in both the tertiary and quaternary structure of proteins, which give them their 3-dimensional structure and functional ability. Heavy metals, such as zinc, cadmium, lead and mercury have a high affinity for sulfhydryls and disulphides; thus, they can disrupt disulfide bonds and deform proteins, which results in heavy metal poisoning: a potentially life-threatening condition.