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Cystamine

Cystamine is an organic compound with the molecular C4H12N2S2 and the IUPAC name 2,2'-dithiodiethanamine, formed by the oxidative dimerization of via a disulfide bond. It appears as a viscous, poisonous oil that is thermally unstable and decomposes upon distillation, so it is commonly handled as the more stable dihydrochloride salt. Discovered in 1907 during attempts to distill cystine and first synthesized in 1940 by oxidation of cysteamine with , cystamine has found applications in and . It serves as a derivatizing agent for polymers in liquid chromatography analysis, a cross-linker for creating hydrogels, and a functionalizing agent for nanoparticles used in siRNA and DNA delivery systems. Biologically, cystamine demonstrates radioprotective and strong properties, though its efficacy varies compared to its reduced form, . It inhibits enzymes such as 2 and caspase-3, reduces protein aggregation, and upregulates neuroprotective pathways involving (BDNF) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling. These mechanisms have positioned cystamine as a candidate for treating neurodegenerative diseases, including , , , and , with preclinical studies showing improved motor function, extended survival in disease models, and mitigation of and mitochondrial dysfunction. However, a subsequent phase II/III trial of in HD patients did not demonstrate significant efficacy in slowing disease progression. Early clinical trials of (the reduced form of cystamine), such as CYTE-I-HD for , indicate tolerability despite gastrointestinal side effects. Additionally, cystamine reduces vascular stiffness in models of by inhibiting activity.

Properties

Chemical structure

Cystamine has the molecular formula C4H12N2S2 and the systematic name 2,2'-dithiobis(ethanamine). The molecule consists of a central disulfide bond (S-S) that connects two identical cysteamine units, each featuring a primary amine group (-NH2) at the end of an ethyl chain. This structure can be textually represented as H2N-CH2-CH2-S-S-CH2-CH2-NH2. In comparison, cystamine differs from cystine by lacking the groups present in the latter, as cystamine is the decarboxylated derivative of cystine. It also represents the oxidized, dimeric form of , formed via oxidative of the groups in two molecules. Cystamine is an achiral molecule, possessing no stereocenters due to its symmetric structure and lack of atoms.

Physical and chemical properties

Cystamine is typically supplied and handled as its dihydrochloride salt (C₄H₁₂N₂S₂·2HCl), which appears as a white to almost white crystalline powder or solid for enhanced stability. The free base form is an unstable, colorless to light yellow liquid with a density of approximately 1.09–1.12 g/cm³. The molecular weight of the free base is 152.28 g/mol, while the dihydrochloride salt has a molecular weight of 225.20 g/mol. The dihydrochloride salt exhibits a of 214–222 °C, at which it decomposes. It demonstrates high in , exceeding 100 g/L (approximately 1 g/10 mL at ), but shows low solubility in most organic solvents such as (around 2 mg/mL) and is practically insoluble in non-polar solvents like or . The free base is miscible with and moderately soluble in . Chemically, cystamine features a bond that is susceptible to by thiols or other reducing agents, yielding two molecules of . The primary groups are , with a value of approximately 9.91 for . The compound remains stable under neutral aqueous conditions but can undergo or cleavage of the linkage in strong acidic or environments. In infrared (IR) , the characteristic S–S stretching appears around 500 cm⁻¹. For ¹H NMR (in D₂O), the methylene protons adjacent to (–CH₂–NH₂) resonate at approximately 3.42 , while those adjacent to (–CH₂–S–) appear at about 3.05 .

Synthesis

From cystine

Cystamine can be synthesized from cystine through , a in which the dicarboxylic undergoes heating to eliminate two molecules of , yielding the . The reaction proceeds as follows: \text{HOOC-CH(NH}_2\text{)-CH}_2\text{-S-S-CH}_2\text{-CH(NH}_2\text{)-COOH} \rightarrow \text{H}_2\text{N-CH}_2\text{-CH}_2\text{-S-S-CH}_2\text{-CH}_2\text{-NH}_2 + 2 \text{CO}_2 This method requires an anhydrous environment to minimize side reactions and is typically conducted at high temperatures around 200–250 °C. The thermal decarboxylation of cystine was first reported in 1907 by Carl Neuberg and Edgar Ascher, who observed cystamine formation during dry distillation attempts on the amino acid. This historical approach remains a simple preparative route for small-scale laboratory production, leveraging cystine as a readily available natural precursor derived from proteins. Yields from are generally low, often very small and accompanied by impurities due to the elevated temperatures involved, which can promote or unwanted byproducts. Despite these limitations, the method's straightforward nature—requiring no additional reagents—makes it suitable for basic synthetic needs, though purification steps are essential for obtaining usable cystamine.

From cysteamine

Cystamine is synthesized via the oxidative dimerization of cysteamine, in which the thiol groups of two cysteamine molecules (H₂N-CH₂-CH₂-SH) couple to form the disulfide linkage. This primary method employs mild oxidizing agents, including molecular oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, or iodine, to facilitate the reaction under controlled conditions. The reaction stoichiometry varies with the oxidant. For molecular oxygen, the process follows: $2 \ \ce{H2N-CH2-CH2-SH} + \frac{1}{2} \ \ce{[O2](/page/The_O2)} \rightarrow \ce{H2N-CH2-CH2-S-S-CH2-CH2-NH2} + \ce{H2O} This air oxidation proceeds readily in , particularly when catalyzed by ions. With , the stoichiometry is: $2 \ \ce{H2N-CH2-CH2-SH} + \ce{[H2O2](/page/Hydrogen_peroxide)} \rightarrow \ce{H2N-CH2-CH2-S-S-CH2-CH2-NH2} + 2 \ \ce{H2O} The rate depends on the concentration of the , with optimal reactivity at mildly alkaline due to deprotonation of the . For iodine, the is: \ce{I2 + 2 H2N-CH2-CH2-SH -> H2N-CH2-CH2-S-S-CH2-CH2-NH2 + 2 H+ + 2 I-} This occurs via a bimolecular mechanism in neutral to mildly acidic media. These oxidations are conducted at mild temperatures, ranging from to 50 °C, and values adjusted based on the oxidant (typically 7–9 for many conditions) to minimize side reactions while promoting thiolate formation. Yields are high, often 80–90% or more, when oxygen is used with catalysts such as Cu²⁺ or Fe³⁺ ions, which accelerate the process by forming transient metal-thiolate complexes that enable without intermediates. The copper-catalyzed variant, for instance, involves coordination of Cu(II) to two thiolate ligands, followed by intramolecular formation and reoxidation of Cu(I) by O₂. An alternative approach is electrochemical oxidation in aqueous media, where applied potential selectively oxidizes the to the , offering precise control and avoiding chemical waste. This oxidative route from supports pharmaceutical-grade production of cystamine, owing to its straightforward implementation and scalability for industrial applications.

Biological aspects

Metabolism

Cystamine is primarily metabolized through the intracellular reduction of its disulfide bond by the glutathione (GSH) system or thioredoxin, producing two molecules of cysteamine (H₂N-CH₂-CH₂-SH). This non-enzymatic reduction occurs rapidly in the reducing environment of the cytosol, where high GSH concentrations facilitate the process. The key reaction is represented as: \text{cystamine} + 2 \text{GSH} \rightarrow 2 \text{cysteamine} + \text{GSSG} where GSSG is glutathione disulfide. Liver and kidney tissues serve as the primary sites for this metabolism due to their high GSH levels and role in sulfur amino acid processing. Following reduction, cysteamine undergoes further oxidation to hypotaurine, catalyzed by the enzyme cysteamine dioxygenase (), a thiol dioxygenase that incorporates molecular oxygen into the substrate. Hypotaurine is then converted to taurine through the action of sulfurtransferase enzymes, completing the metabolic pathway to this , which is ultimately excreted in or incorporated into salts. This sequential transformation links cystamine metabolism to broader homeostasis and defense mechanisms. Pharmacokinetically, cystamine demonstrates low oral , primarily attributable to extensive first-pass in the liver, where rapid to occurs. Once in circulation, its plasma is short, reflecting quick conversion and tissue distribution. These properties underscore the compound's dependence on cellular reducing systems for bioactivation and limit its systemic persistence.

Endogenous occurrence

Cystamine occurs endogenously primarily as the disulfide oxidation product of , an aminothiol generated during the of via pantetheinase enzymes such as vanin-1 in mammalian cells. This minor biosynthetic pathway involves the oxidation of , facilitated by molecular oxygen or transition metals, particularly under conditions of , or as an intermediate during the reduction of cystine. In eukaryotes, these cysteamine-derived pathways are evolutionarily conserved, underscoring their integral role in sulfur across diverse organisms. In mammalian tissues, cystamine is present at trace levels, notably in the , liver, gut, and , where it maintains low steady-state concentrations due to rapid reduction back to in reducing cellular environments. Levels are generally submicromolar, reflecting its transient nature as a intermediate rather than a stable . For instance, cystamine has been shown to inactivate ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase () in vitro by promoting disulfide bond formation in the enzyme's . Physiologically, endogenous cystamine acts as a modulator of defenses, participating in signaling by interacting with donors to form S-nitrosocysteamine and influencing nitrosative stress responses. It also contributes to homeostasis by depleting intracellular cystine pools, thereby regulating thiol-disulfide balance in cells. Quantification of cystamine in biological samples, such as tissues or fluids, requires methods sensitive to its instability and interconversion with .

Applications and pharmacology

Therapeutic uses

Cystamine has been investigated as a to for the treatment of nephropathic , a lysosomal storage disorder characterized by cystine accumulation in cells. Upon , cystamine undergoes reduction to , which facilitates disulfide exchange to deplete lysosomal cystine levels, thereby delaying renal failure and improving growth when initiated early. Cysteamine bitartrate remains the standard formulation due to better stability and tolerability, while cystamine derivatives, such as PEGylated forms, have been developed to enhance and efficacy in preclinical models of . In investigational applications, cystamine demonstrates neuroprotective effects in preclinical models of (HD) through inhibition of tissue transglutaminase 2 (TG2), which reduces , and upregulation of (BDNF), promoting neuronal survival and motor function improvement. Studies in R6/2 transgenic mice showed extended survival and ameliorated symptoms with cystamine doses of 10-20 mg/kg, though clinical translation has focused on , with Phase II trials (e.g., CYTE-HD-01) yielding mixed results on efficacy despite good tolerability at 1.2 g/day delayed-release doses. For , cystamine exhibits potential in reducing amyloid-beta aggregation via TG2 inhibition and activity. has shown improvements in cognitive deficits in APP-Psen1 mouse models. Though human trials remain absent. In liver fibrosis models induced by , cystamine attenuates fibrotic progression by suppressing synthesis and , with intraperitoneal doses of 100 mg/kg reducing hepatic damage markers in rats. Historically, cystamine was included in the Soviet AI-2 emergency kit as a radioprotector against , providing shielding at doses of 0.2 g per tablet, though its use was discontinued after inconclusive trials in the 1960s-1970s. In a 2025 preclinical study, cystamine reduced neurodegeneration and epileptogenesis in a mouse model of . Administration of cystamine typically involves oral capsules at 1-2 g/day for therapeutic exploration, with good blood-brain barrier penetration supporting applications. As of 2025, preclinical research continues into cystamine's role in neurodegenerative diseases, including nanoparticle formulations for targeted delivery to enhance solubility and reduce dosing frequency in and models.

Drug interactions and toxicity

Cystamine interacts with by binding to it, thereby inhibiting at millimolar concentrations and inducing abnormal tubulin aggregation. This interference disrupts cellular processes reliant on microtubule dynamics, such as and intracellular transport. Additionally, cystamine exhibits inherent activity by blocking crosslinking, inhibiting plasma clot formation, and reducing generation, which may potentiate the effects of existing anticoagulant therapies. Cystamine can also interfere with DNA-binding proteins through exchange reactions, potentially altering protein-nucleic acid interactions; this reactivity contributes to its radioprotective effects against but raises concerns for mutagenic risks due to modification of critical sulfhydryl groups in regulatory proteins. The profile of cystamine includes an oral LD50 of 896 mg/kg in rats and 874 mg/kg in mice, with an intraperitoneal LD50 of 405 mg/kg in mice. Chronic exposure is associated with , manifesting as elevated liver enzymes and potential oxidative damage to hepatic tissue, alongside due to its thiol-like reactivity after reduction and gastrointestinal upset including and . Adverse effects arise primarily from the disulfide moiety's reactivity, which promotes via disulfide interchange with cellular thiols, depleting antioxidants like and generating . At high doses, the amine groups may contribute to by buffering cellular pH or interfering with acid-base , though this effect is dose-dependent and less pronounced than direct oxidative damage. Cystamine's contraindications and monitoring requirements are analogous to those of , including avoidance in due to potential teratogenic effects observed in animal models with cysteamine, where it crosses the and induces developmental abnormalities. Hypersensitivity reactions, including , are also contraindications, and patients require monitoring of during prolonged use to detect early . In cases of overdose, management focuses on supportive care, including gastrointestinal decontamination and symptomatic treatment for or . N-acetylcysteine may be administered to replenish and mitigate disulfide-induced oxidative damage, analogous to its role in countering related thiol toxicities.

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