Biochemical studies of toxic agents. 12. The biosynthesis of n-propylmercapturic acid from n-propyl halides

Abstract

S-(n-Propyl)-L-cysteine has been prepared by 2 methods, and n-propylmercapturic acid, i.e., N-acetyl-S-(n-propyl)-L-cysteine, by 3 methods. The hydrolysis of n-propylmercapturic acid by acid and by alkali has been studied, and its conversion into S-(n-propyl)-L-cysteine by incubation with extracts of rat liver or kidney has been demonstrated. By means of paper chromato-graphy evidence has been obtained for the excretion of n-propylmercapturic acid by rats, rabbits, guinea pigs and mice dosed by subcutaneous injection with l-bromopropane or l-iodopropane, and by rats and rabbits, but not by guinea pigs and mice, injected sub-cutaneously with l-chloropropane. n-Propylmercapturic acid has been isolated from the urine excreted by rats in the 24 hours after they had been injected subcutaneously with l-bromopropane or l-iodopropane.