Re: What will happen to the human body when all the sulfur is removed?

Hi,

Sulfur is a necessary component for life here on Earth, as sulfur atoms are present in two of the 20 amino acids (Methionine and Cysteine) that comprise our proteins. We have some answers in our archives that discuss the importance of Cysteine residues to proteins. You can read those answers here (975605891.Bc.) , and here (1056416715.Bc), but basically the large-scale structure of many of your proteins is stabilized through what are called DISULFIDE bonds. This is a bond between two sulfur atoms in two Cysteine residues. So, if you didn't have any sulfur in your body, many many of your proteins would fall apart, and cease to function.

Perhaps even more importantly, the amino acid Methionine is always the first amino acid incorporated into a new protein during protein synthesis (translation). The Methionine codon (AUG) is almost always the initiator codon. If you didn't have any sulfur, you would not be able to make Methionine, and your cells would not be able to make new proteins because they couldn't start translation. So, you would not be able to make any new proteins without sulfur. You can read another answer about the metabolic requirements for sulfur here (932392966.Me.r).

So, when all of the sulfur is removed, the human body will die. Sorry to end on such a dour note. Remember, Sulfur is your friend. :)