What happens to disulfide bonds during fixation? - (Jun/20/2008 )

Dear all,

I was wondering what happens to intracellular cysteine disulfide bonds during fixation with paraformaldehyde?

I think that as the PFA cross-links proteins it should stabilize the bonds... but chemistry isn't my strong point so I'd like to get some other opinions.

Thanks for your help!

LeserattePD

-LeserattePD-

QUOTE (LeserattePD @ Jun 20 2008, 03:23 AM)

formaldehyde is known to cross-link proteins f.i. by methylene bridging between -NH2 of lysine and -NH of a peptide; cracking disulfide bonds needs reduction equivalents

-The Bearer-

QUOTE (The Bearer @ Jun 21 2008, 08:41 AM)

QUOTE (LeserattePD @ Jun 20 2008, 03:23 AM)

formaldehyde is known to cross-link proteins f.i. by methylene bridging between -NH2 of lysine and -NH of a peptide; cracking disulfide bonds needs reduction equivalents

Thanks a lot!

-LeserattePD-