Disulfides (RSSR′)

Definition

Disulfides are organic compounds that contain a pair of sulfur atoms linked together by a single bond, often derived from the oxidation of thiols. They play a crucial role in the structure and stability of proteins by forming cross-links between different parts of a molecule.

Related terms

Thiols: Organic compounds containing a sulfur-hydrogen (–SH) group, acting as the precursors to disulfides when oxidized.

Oxidation: A chemical reaction where electrons are lost from an atom or molecule, which in the context of thiols, leads to the formation of disulfides.

Protein folding: The process by which a protein takes its three-dimensional shape, often stabilized by disulfide bonds among other interactions