Skip to Content
Merck
All Photos(1)

Documents

E7521

Sigma-Aldrich

L-(+)-Ergothioneine

Synonym(s):

2-mercaptohistidine trimethyl betaine, Ergothioneine, Sympectothion, Thiasine, Thiolhistidine-betaine, Thioneine, (S)-α-Carboxy-N,N,N-trimethyl-2-mercapto-1H-imidazole-4-ethanaminium inner salt

Sign Into View Organizational & Contract Pricing


About This Item

Empirical Formula (Hill Notation):
C9H15N3O2S
CAS Number:
Molecular Weight:
229.30
EC Number:
MDL number:
UNSPSC Code:
12352209
PubChem Substance ID:
NACRES:
NA.32

biological source

fungus (Actinomycetales)
fungus (Ascomycota)
fungus (Basidiomycota)

Assay

≥98.0%

form

powder

mol wt

229.30

storage condition

(Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place)

technique(s)

protein quantification: suitable

solubility

water: 50 mg/mL, clear, colorless

storage temp.

−20°C

SMILES string

C[N+](C)(C)[C@@H](Cc1c[nH]c(S)n1)C([O-])=O

InChI

1S/C9H15N3O2S/c1-12(2,3)7(8(13)14)4-6-5-10-9(15)11-6/h5,7H,4H2,1-3H3,(H2-,10,11,13,14,15)/t7-/m0/s1

InChI key

SSISHJJTAXXQAX-ZETCQYMHSA-N

Looking for similar products? Visit Product Comparison Guide

General description

L-(+)-Ergothioneine (ET) is a sulfur-containing amino acid, which is only produced by Actinomycetales bacteria and non-yeast like fungi belonging to the division Basidiomycota and Ascomycota. It was originally isolated from Claviceps purpurea or rye ergot. It is obtained from L-histidine, which is converted into betaine form called hercynine. It is found in both animals and plants, and mammals usually obtain it from their diet, e.g. through mushrooms or oats. It is tautomeric in nature, and in neutral aqueous solution exists in thione form.

Research area: Apoptosis

Application

L-(+)-Ergothioneine is suitable for use in the study of its reactivity with 2,2′- and 4,4′-dipyridyl disulphide (2-Py-S-S-2-Py and 4-Py-S-S-4-Py). It may also be used for the incubation of experimental cells while performing in vitro kinase activity assays for ATM (Ataxia telangiectasia mutated) or ATR (ATM- and RAD3-related).
L-(+)-Ergothioneine has been used:
  • as a component of the maturation medium for cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) to test protective function on lipid peroxide formation
  • as an antioxidant compound to test type 2 diabetes patients
  • as a positive control in solute carrier protein 22 A4 (SLC22A4) transport assay

Biochem/physiol Actions

L-(+)-Ergothioneine (ET) has the maximum concentrations in tissues subjected to oxidative stress, with the highest being in blood, eye lens, bone marrow, semen and liver. It acts as an anti-oxidant and prevents apoptosis, by scavenging reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. The anti-oxidant activity is attributable to sulfhydryl groups. It acts as a substrate for SLC22A4 (solute carrier family 22, member 4) transporter. In alveolar macrophages, it prevents the release of interleukin-8 (IL-8) by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α. IL-8 is an inflammatory cytokine. It also regulates the oxidative damage in liver and kidneys, and has a protective action against lipid peroxidation. It is also responsible for the conservation of endogenous glutathione and α-tocopherol. ET being an antioxidant, protects against γ and UV radiation. In UV-irradiated human dermal fibroblasts, it scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS), and suppresses matrix metalloproteinases 1 (MMP1) expression. It might also have anti-ageing effects on skin caused by UV-radiation.

Packaging

Bottomless glass bottle. Contents are inside inserted fused cone.

Other Notes

Natural amino acid found in the fungus Claviceps purpurea

Storage Class Code

11 - Combustible Solids

WGK

WGK 3

Flash Point(F)

Not applicable

Flash Point(C)

Not applicable

Personal Protective Equipment

dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves

Certificates of Analysis (COA)

Search for Certificates of Analysis (COA) by entering the products Lot/Batch Number. Lot and Batch Numbers can be found on a product’s label following the words ‘Lot’ or ‘Batch’.

Already Own This Product?

Find documentation for the products that you have recently purchased in the Document Library.

Visit the Document Library

Monica Deiana et al.
Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland), 23(2), 183-193 (2004-03-20)
L-ergothioneine is a fungal metabolite exhibiting antioxidant functions in cells. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of oral administration of L-ergothioneine on the oxidative damage in vivo caused by the Fenton reagent ferric-nitrilotriacetate. Rats were supplemented
Substantial fibrin amyloidogenesis in type 2 diabetes assessed using amyloid-selective fluorescent stains
Pretorius E, et al.
Cardiovascular Diabetology, 16(1), 141-141 (2017)
Irwin K Cheah et al.
Biochimica et biophysica acta, 1822(5), 784-793 (2011-10-18)
Since its discovery, the unique properties of the naturally occurring amino acid, L-ergothioneine (EGT; 2-mercaptohistidine trimethylbetaine), have intrigued researchers for more than a century. This widely distributed thione is only known to be synthesized by non-yeast fungi, mycobacteria and cyanobacteria
Irina Borodina et al.
Nutrition research reviews, 33(2), 190-217 (2020-02-14)
Ergothioneine (ERG) is an unusual thio-histidine betaine amino acid that has potent antioxidant activities. It is synthesised by a variety of microbes, especially fungi (including in mushroom fruiting bodies) and actinobacteria, but is not synthesised by plants and animals who
J Carlsson et al.
The Biochemical journal, 139(1), 221-235 (1974-04-01)
1. The reactions of 2,2'- and 4,4'-dipyridyl disulphide (2-Py-S-S-2-Py and 4-Py-S-S-4-Py) with l-ergothioneine (2-mercapto-l-histidine betaine), 2-mercaptoimidazole, 1-methyl-2-mercaptoimidazole, thiourea, thioacetamide, 2-thiopyridone (Py-2-SH) and 4-thiopyridone (Py-4-SH) were investigated spectrophotometrically in the pH range approx. 1-9. 2. These reactions involve two sequential reversible

Our team of scientists has experience in all areas of research including Life Science, Material Science, Chemical Synthesis, Chromatography, Analytical and many others.

Contact Technical Service