title: Dithiols simulate endotoxin in the Limulus reaction.
abstract: Dithiothreitol, dithioerythritol and bacterial lipopolysaccharides increase optical absorbance and clot Limulus lysate. Purification of dithiothreitol from possible endotoxin contamination by vacuum sublimation or chromatography does not abolish the reaction with lysate. The dithiols reported active here represent the smallest molecules capable of simulating endotoxin in the Limulus test.
mesh_terms: D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000032:analysis; D004226:Dithioerythritol; D004229:Dithiothreitol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000032:analysis; D004926:Escherichia coli; D006358:Hot Temperature; D007700:Kinetics; D008033:Limulus Test
chemical_list: D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004731:Endotoxins; D004226:Dithioerythritol; D004229:Dithiothreitol