Gee, Andy's right, was Re: OT--SH groups in collagen and fat tissues?

[Guest guest]

>

>

> > mercury is particularly keen to bind to two amino acids; methionine

> > and cysteine. Both amino acids contain sulphur hydrogen (SH)-groups.

>

> Methionine does not contain a sulfhydryl (thiol, SH) group.

>

>

Something clicked in my brain about this, so I looked it up.

Andy is right. Methionine is a sulfur containing amino acid, but it

doesn't contain an SH group. If you look at the link you will see

that the S is linked to carbon on both sides, leaving no sides open for H.

When S is linked to carbons it isn't available to attract mercury.

http://chemistry.about.com/od/imagesclipartstructures/ig/Amino-Acid-Structures/M\

ethionine.htm

J