Sulfation

Sulfation is the process wherein said sulfate is coupled to biomolecules. The enzyme-mediated reaction is very specific and is an important post-translational modification of proteins.

The process of sulfation is similar to the process of phosphorylation. Sulfate is irreversibly coupled by enzymes from the group of so-called sulfotransferases to a hydroxy group ( sulfotransferases are found in mammals, particularly in the liver, kidney, gastrointestinal tract and the lungs). Sulfated biomolecules can be glycoproteins, proteoglycans, glycolipids or small metabolites.

Importance sulfations particularly in interactions between cells and the extracellular matrix. Sulfated glycoproteins and proteoglycans are accordingly in the cell membrane or secreted into the extracellular matrix and play a role in cell adhesion as well as in the presentation and modulation of growth factors, chemokines, and other molecules that are involved in intercellular communication. The sulfate groups contribute here to the specificity of the interactions.

In the mammalian organism sulfation of possibly toxic impurities play a key role in the reduction of the biological activity of these substances. Since they are thus more water soluble, they can be excreted rapidly by the kidneys. The sulfation is among the biotransformation of Phase II ( coupling of activated acids to drugs ).