INTER-MOLECULAR AND INTRA-MOLECULAR CROSSLINKS IN HISTONE H-3 INDUCED BY 5,5'-DITHIOBIS(2-NITROBENZOIC ACID)

The primary reaction between the cysteine residues of histone H3 and dithiobis-(nitrobenzoic acid) may be succeeded by thiol-disulfide interchange steps leading to intraor intermolecularly crosslinked H3 molecules. A chromatographic assay is applied to detect consecutive reactions of this type and is used to derive conditions by which they are promoted or suppressed. Elimination of the secondary interchange is shown to be essential if the kinetics of the reaction is to be interpreted. © 1979.