Merck, 43815-5G, DL-Dithiothreitol

Dithiothreitol (DTT) is a thiol-reducing reagent that quantitatively reduces disulfide (SH) groups in biological molecules. It specifically targets the disulfide bridge of the cross-linker N,N′-bis(acryloyl)cystamine to break apart the matrix of a polyacrylamide gel. DTT is less pungent and less toxic than 2-mercaptoethanol. Typically, a seven-fold lower concentration of DTT (100 mM) is more efficient than that of 2-mercaptoethanol (5% v/v, 700 mM).