3,3`-Dithiodipropionate

3,3`-Dithiodipropionic Acid (DTDP) is a precursor to microbially synthesized polythioesters (PTEs). Tetrathiobacter mimigardefordensis strain DPN7(T) is able to use DTDP as the sole carbon source for growth. DTDP is first reduced to 3-mercaptopropionate (3-MP). 3-MP is one of the most frequently detected thiols in natural aquatic environments, and is also synthesized chemically for use as a bisphenol A cocatalyst. 3-MP is dioxygenated to 3-sulfinopropionate (3SP). After CoA ligation, the sulfino group is cleaved to form propionyl-CoA ([http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18456849|Wuebbeler et al., 2008]).