Dithiothreitol or DTT is also known as Cleland’s Reagent. It contains two thiol groups and is commonly used to reduce disulfide bond in proteins. It can protect many thiol-containing biomolecules such as coenzyme A (Co-A), GSH (glutathione) from forming disulfide bonds. Not only does DTT scavenge the hydroxyl radical that attacks DNA and proteins, but also reacts with hydrogen peroxide that may generate hydroxyl radicals through the Fenton reaction.
Dithiothreitol or DTT is also known as Cleland’s Reagent. It contains two thiol groups and is commonly used to reduce disulfide bond in proteins. It can protect many thiol-containing biomolecules such as coenzyme A (Co-A), GSH (glutathione) from forming disulfide bonds. Not only does DTT scavenge the hydroxyl radical that attacks DNA and proteins, but also reacts with hydrogen peroxide that may generate hydroxyl radicals through the Fenton reaction.

- DTT is widely used in biochemical research to reduce disulfide bridges, protect biomolecules, in sample preparation, and to denature proteins before electrophoresis analysis (SDS-PAGE).
- DTT is frequently used to reduce the disulfide bonds of proteins and peptides. It prevents intramolecular and intermolecular disulfide bonds from forming between cysteine residues of proteins.
- DTT protects enzyme activity by the oxidation of sulfhydryl groups. As an antioxidant, it is used as a protective agent against ionizing radiations in living cells. It has been used to enhance or inhibit enzymes or receptors activity.
- The terminal sulfur atoms of thiolated DNA tend to form dimers in solution, especially in the presence of oxygen. Dimerization greatly lowers the efficiency of subsequent coupling reactions such as DNA immobilization on gold in biosensors. Typically, DTT is mixed with a DNA solution and allowed to react, and then is removed by filtration (for the solid catalyst) or by chromatography (for the liquid form).
- DTT can also be used as an oxidizing agent. Its principal advantage is that, effectively no mixed-disulfide species are populated, in contrast to other agents such as glutathione.

- Effects of dithiothreitol on protein activity unrelated to thiol-disulfide exchange: for consideration in the analysis of protein function with Cleland's reagent Alliegro MC
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Dithiothreitol, a New Protective Reagent for SH Groups -Â W. W. Cleland