Modification of human metallothioneins by garlic organosulfur compounds, allicin and ajoene: direct effect on zinc homeostasis with relevance to immune regulation.

ABSTRACT: Garlic (Allium sativum) is a key culinary ingredient and agricultural product that releases its pungent aroma when cut or crushed due to the presence of volatile organosulfur compounds. These compounds, specifically allicin and ajoene, rapidly modify human metallothioneins (MTs), leading to the dissociation of Zn(II) ions. This study employed a top-down protein MS analysis to identify the most reactive cysteine sites in MT2, confirming that both compounds induce S-thioallylation and alter Zn(II) binding. Spectrophotometric studies indicated that both compounds mobilized nearly six molar equivalents of Zn(II) from MT2 after one hour, with ajoene demonstrating slightly higher dissociation efficiency than allicin. Moreover, allicin mobilized Zn(II) from all human isoforms of MT (MT1-MT4), wit

SUBMITTER: Mosna K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12507958 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature