2-Mercaptoethanol (β-Mercaptoethanol)

2-Mercaptoethanol (β-Mercaptoethanol)

2-Mercaptoethanol is a reducing agent used to break disulfide bonds in proteins, aiding in their denaturation and analysis. It is commonly used in SDS-PAGE sample preparation to ensure proteins are fully denatured and linearized.

Additionally, it acts as an antioxidant, preventing the oxidation of sensitive compounds in cell culture media and biochemical assays. However, 2-mercaptoethanol has a strong, unpleasant odor and is toxic, requiring careful handling in a fume hood.

Its role in protein research is indispensable, particularly in studies involving protein structure and function.