In rat cortical slices, DL-homocysteine (0.1-0.5 mM) dramatically increases the synthesis of kynurenic acid (KYNA) and inhibits its production at 3.0, 5.0, and 10.0 mM, with an estimated IC50 of 6.4 (5.5-7.5) mM. At doses ≥0.2 mM, DL-homocysteine dose-dependently inhibits the activity of kynurenine aminotransferases I (KATI) with an IC50 of 0.566 (0.442-0.724) mM and KAT II activity with an IC50 value of 8.046 (5.804-11.154) mM[1].

DL-Homocysteine (1.3 mmol/kg, ip) raises the KYNA concentration (pmol/g tissue) in the rat hippocampal region from 4.11 ± 1.54 to 10.02 ± 3.08, and in the cortex from 8.47 ± 1.57 to 13.04 ± 2.86 and 11.4 ± 1.72[1].

Metabolism / Metabolites
In the body, dietary methionine is converted to homocysteine. In a series of metabolic steps, the enzyme cystathionine b-synthase (CBS) irreversibly generates a substance called cystathionine from homocysteine. The rate at which homocysteine is generated from methionine and then converted to cystathionine is evidently determined by the habitual dietary intake of methionine. L-Homocysteine has two primary fates: conversion via tetrahydrofolate (THF) back into L-methionine or conversion to L-cysteine. Homocysteine can cyclize to give homocysteine thiolactone, a five-membered heterocycle, a reaction catalyzed by methionyl-transfer RNA synthetase.

Toxicity Summary
Nitrosylation converts homocysteine (Hcy) into a methionine analogue, S-nitroso-Homocysteine, which can substitute for methionine in protein synthesis in biological systems. In humans, homocyteine-thiolactone modifies proteins posttranslationally by forming adducts in which homocysteine is linked by amide bonds to epsilon-amino group of protein lysine residues (Hcy-epsilonN-Lys-protein). Levels of homocystine bound by amide or peptide linkages (Homocysteine-N-protein) in human plasma proteins are directly related to plasma 'total homocysteine' levels. Homocysteine-N-hemoglobin and Homocysteine-N-albumin constitute a major pool of homocysteine in human blood, larger than 'total homocysteine' pool. Homocysteine-thiolactone is present in human plasma. Modification with Homocysteine-thiolactone leads to protein damage and induces immune response. Autoantibodies that specifically recognize the Homocysteine-epsilonN-Lys-epitope on Homocysteine-thiolactone-modified proteins occur in humans. The ability of Homocysteine to interfere with protein biosynthesis, which causes protein damage, induces cell death and elicits immune response, is likely a key contributor to the toxicity of homocysteine (A15343). Uremic toxins such as homocysteine are actively transported into the kidneys via organic ion transporters (especially OAT3). Increased levels of uremic toxins can stimulate the production of reactive oxygen species. This seems to be mediated by the direct binding or inhibition by uremic toxins of the enzyme NADPH oxidase (especially NOX4 which is abundant in the kidneys and heart) (A7868). Reactive oxygen species can induce several different DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) which are involved in the silencing of a protein known as KLOTHO. KLOTHO has been identified as having important roles in anti-aging, mineral metabolism, and vitamin D metabolism. A number of studies have indicated that KLOTHO mRNA and protein levels are reduced during acute or chronic kidney diseases in response to high local levels of reactive oxygen species (A7869).

[1]. Dual effect of DL-homocysteine and S-adenosylhomocysteine on brain synthesis of the glutamate receptor antagonist, kynurenic acid. J Neurosci Res. 2005 Feb 1;79(3):375-82.

[2]. Effects of Homocysteine on white matter diffusion parameters in Alzheimer’s disease.

Homocysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid consisting of a glycine core with a 2-mercaptoethyl side-chain. It has a role as a fundamental metabolite. It is a sulfur-containing amino acid, a member of homocysteines and a non-proteinogenic alpha-amino acid. It is a conjugate acid of a homocysteinate. It is a tautomer of a homocysteine zwitterion.
DL-Homocysteine has been reported in Arabidopsis thaliana and Saccharomyces cerevisiae with data available.
Homocysteine is a uremic toxin. Uremic toxins can be subdivided into three major groups based upon their chemical and physical characteristics: 1) small, water-soluble, non-protein-bound compounds, such as urea; 2) small, lipid-soluble and/or protein-bound compounds, such as the phenols and 3) larger so-called middle-molecules, such as beta2-microglobulin. Chronic exposure of uremic toxins can lead to a number of conditions including renal damage, chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease.
Homocysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid that arises during methionine metabolism. Although its concentration in plasma is only about 10 micromolar (uM), even moderate hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with increased incidence of cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's disease. Elevations in plasma homocysteine are commonly found as a result of vitamin deficiencies, polymorphisms of enzymes of methionine metabolism, and renal disease. Pyridoxal, folic acid, riboflavin, and Vitamin B(12) are all required for methionine metabolism, and deficiency of each of these vitamins result in elevated plasma homocysteine. A polymorphism of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (C677T), which is quite common in most populations with a homozygosity rate of 10-15 %, is associated with moderate hyperhomocysteinemia, especially in the context of marginal folate intake. Plasma homocysteine is inversely related to plasma creatinine in patients with renal disease. This is due to an impairment in homocysteine removal in renal disease. Homocysteine is an independent cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor modifiable by nutrition and possibly exercise. Homocysteine was first identified as an important biological compound in 1932 and linked with human disease in 1962 when elevated urinary homocysteine levels were found in children with mental retardation. This condition, called homocysteinuria, was later associated with premature occlusive CVD, even in children. These observations led to research investigating the relationship of elevated homocysteine levels and CVD in a wide variety of populations including middle age and elderly men and women with and without traditional risk factors for CVD. (A3281, A3282).
A thiol-containing amino acid formed by a demethylation of METHIONINE.

C4H9NO2S

135.18476

135.035

454-29-5

778

White to off-white solid powder

1.3±0.1 g/cm3

299.7±35.0 °C at 760 mmHg

232-233 °C(lit.)

135.0±25.9 °C

0.0±1.3 mmHg at 25°C

1.538

0.22

3

4

3

8

86.1

0

O=C(O)C(N)CCS

FFFHZYDWPBMWHY-UHFFFAOYSA-N

InChI=1S/C4H9NO2S/c5-3(1-2-8)4(6)7/h3,8H,1-2,5H2,(H,6,7)

2-amino-4-sulfanylbutanoic acid

2934.99.9001

Powder      -20°C    3 years

                     4°C     2 years

In solvent   -80°C    6 months

                  -20°C    1 month

Room temperature (This product is stable at ambient temperature for a few days during ordinary shipping and time spent in Customs)

H2O : ~125 mg/mL (~924.62 mM)

Note: Listed below are some common formulations that may be used to formulate products with low water solubility (e.g. < 1 mg/mL), you may test these formulations using a minute amount of products to avoid loss of samples.

---

Injection Formulation 1: DMSO : Tween 80： Saline = 10 : 5 : 85 (i.e. 100 μL DMSO stock solution → 50 μL Tween 80 → 850 μL Saline)
*Preparation of saline: Dissolve 0.9 g of sodium chloride in 100 mL ddH ₂ O to obtain a clear solution.
Injection Formulation 2: DMSO : PEG300 ：Tween 80 : Saline = 10 : 40 : 5 : 45 (i.e. 100 μL DMSO → 400 μLPEG300 → 50 μL Tween 80 → 450 μL Saline)
Injection Formulation 3: DMSO : Corn oil = 10 : 90 (i.e. 100 μL DMSO → 900 μL Corn oil)
Example: Take the Injection Formulation 3 (DMSO : Corn oil = 10 : 90) as an example, if 1 mL of 2.5 mg/mL working solution is to be prepared, you can take 100 μL 25 mg/mL DMSO stock solution and add to 900 μL corn oil, mix well to obtain a clear or suspension solution (2.5 mg/mL, ready for use in animals).

View More

Injection Formulation 4: DMSO : 20% SBE-β-CD in saline = 10 : 90 [i.e. 100 μL DMSO → 900 μL (20% SBE-β-CD in saline)]
*Preparation of 20% SBE-β-CD in Saline (4°C，1 week): Dissolve 2 g SBE-β-CD in 10 mL saline to obtain a clear solution.
Injection Formulation 5: 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin : Saline = 50 : 50 (i.e. 500 μL 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin → 500 μL Saline)
Injection Formulation 6: DMSO : PEG300 : castor oil : Saline = 5 : 10 : 20 : 65 (i.e. 50 μL DMSO → 100 μLPEG300 → 200 μL castor oil → 650 μL Saline)
Injection Formulation 7: Ethanol : Cremophor : Saline = 10： 10 : 80 (i.e. 100 μL Ethanol → 100 μL Cremophor → 800 μL Saline)
Injection Formulation 8: Dissolve in Cremophor/Ethanol (50 : 50), then diluted by Saline
Injection Formulation 9: EtOH : Corn oil = 10 : 90 (i.e. 100 μL EtOH → 900 μL Corn oil)
Injection Formulation 10: EtOH : PEG300：Tween 80 : Saline = 10 : 40 : 5 : 45 (i.e. 100 μL EtOH → 400 μLPEG300 → 50 μL Tween 80 → 450 μL Saline)

---

Oral Formulation 1: Suspend in 0.5% CMC Na (carboxymethylcellulose sodium)
Oral Formulation 2: Suspend in 0.5% Carboxymethyl cellulose
Example: Take the Oral Formulation 1 (Suspend in 0.5% CMC Na) as an example, if 100 mL of 2.5 mg/mL working solution is to be prepared, you can first prepare 0.5% CMC Na solution by measuring 0.5 g CMC Na and dissolve it in 100 mL ddH2O to obtain a clear solution; then add 250 mg of the product to 100 mL 0.5% CMC Na solution, to make the suspension solution (2.5 mg/mL, ready for use in animals).

View More

Oral Formulation 3: Dissolved in PEG400
Oral Formulation 4: Suspend in 0.2% Carboxymethyl cellulose
Oral Formulation 5: Dissolve in 0.25% Tween 80 and 0.5% Carboxymethyl cellulose
Oral Formulation 6: Mixing with food powders

---

Note: Please be aware that the above formulations are for reference only. InvivoChem strongly recommends customers to read literature methods/protocols carefully before determining which formulation you should use for in vivo studies, as different compounds have different solubility properties and have to be formulated differently.

---

 (Please use freshly prepared in vivo formulations for optimal results.)