[35S]Lanthionine ketimine binding to bovine brain membranes.

2H-1,4-Thiazine-5,6-dihydro-3,5-dicarboxylic acid (trivial name: lanthionine ketimine) is a cyclic sulfur-containing imino acid detected in bovine brain extracts. This compound has been synthesized in a heavily labeled form starting from L-[35S]cysteine and purified by high performance liquid chromatography. We demonstrate the existence of a saturable and reversible binding of [35S]lanthionine ketimine to bovine brain membranes. A single population of binding sites with a concentration of 260 ± 12 fmol/mg protein and a dissociation constant of 58 ± 14 nM is present. Specific binding is competitively inhibited by other structurally similar imino acids, namely S-aminoethyl-L-cysteine ketimine and cystathionine ketimine. These results suggest a possible functional role for these ketimines in nervous system.