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6275941 
Journal Article 
Mechanism of djenkolic acid decomposition by cystathionase 
Greenberg, DM; Mastalerz, P; Nagabhushanam, A 
1964 
81 
1 
158-164 
In the cleavage of djenkolic acid by the enzyme cystathionase (l-homoserine hydrolyase (deaminating), EC 4.2.1.15) it has been shown that equivalent amounts of cysteine, pyruvic acid, formaldehyde, H2S and ammonia are formed. In analogy with the cleavage of cystine, decomposition of djenkolic acid yields S-thiomethylcysteine, which decomposes spontaneously to cysteine, formaldehyde and ammonia. The presence of iodoaceate in the reaction medium prevents this decomposition and results in the formation of the carboxymethyl congener of djenkolic acid.