The inhibition of thiol enzymes by lachrymators

Abstract

Various lachrymators inhibited the following enzymes containing SH groups: succinic, choline and yeast alcohol dehydrogenases, activated papain, pyruvic oxidase, triosephos-phate dehydrogenase, xanthine oxidase, urease, glyoxalase, respiration of muscle, yeast fermentation, yeast respiration with glucose. The enzymes were protected by reduced glutathione, cysteine or denatured enzyme. The lachrymators inactivated more powerfully than iodoacetate.