Metabolic Transformation of Colchicine, IV. On the Interaction of Colchicine and Colchiceine with Sulfhydryl Compounds

Abstract
The interaction of colchicine and 1 of its metabolites, O10-demethylcolchicine (colchiceine), with sulfhydryl compounds was studied in several experimental systems. Colchiceine protects reduced glutathione from oxidation by atmospheric O2. Inactivation of enzymes with catalytically essential sulfhydryl groups is prevented by colchiceine. In affinity chromatographic experiments, agarose-bound colchiceine adsorbs sulfhydryl enzymes which may be eluted specifically by SH-compounds like mercaptoethanol. No such effects are shown by colchicine. A novel type of biochemical reactivity is demonstrated in the metabolite colchiceine with potential biological relevance.

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