Ergothioneine is a naturally occurring amino acid and is a thiourea derivative of histidine, containing a sulfur atom on the imidazole ring. This compound is made in relatively few organisms, notably Actinobacteria, Cyanobacteria, and certain fungi. Ergothioneine was discovered in 1909 and named after the ergot fungus from which it was first purified, C. Tanret Sur une base nouvelle retiree du seigle ergote, l'ergothioneine Compt. Rend., 149 (1909), pp. 222-224 with its structure being determined in 1911. In vitro assays, as well as in vivo animal models, are used in basic research to identify its potential biological properties. In humans, ergothioneine is acquired exclusively through the diet and accumulates in erythrocytes, bone marrow, liver, kidney, seminal fluid, and eyes. Ergothioneine requires a specific transporter, ETT, also known as OCTN1 (gene symbol SLC22A4), to enter cells. ETT expression has been confirmed in human and animal cell lines and its functional transport of ergothioneine has been observed in preliminary studies in vivo. Although the effect of ergothioneine in vivo is an active area of research, its physiological role in humans is undetermined.  Safe intake levels The Panel on Dietetic Products for the European Food Safety Authority finds that safe daily limits of 2.82 mg/kg of body weight for infants, 3.39 mg/kg for small children, and 1.31 mg/kg for adults, including pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Ergothioneine is a naturally occurring amino acid and is a thiourea derivative of histidine, containing a sulfur atom on the imidazole ring. This compound occurs in relatively few organisms, notably Actinobacteria, Cyanobacteria, and certain fungi. Ergothioneine was discovered in 1909 and named after the ergot fungus from which it was first purified, C. Tanret Sur une base nouvelle retiree du seigle ergote, l'ergothioneine Compt. Rend., 149 (1909), pp. 222-224 with its structure being determined in 1911. In humans, ergothioneine is acquired exclusively through the diet and accumulates in erythrocytes, bone marrow, liver, kidney, seminal fluid, and eyes. In vitro, ergothioneine requires a specific transporter, ETT, also known as OCTN1 (gene symbol SLC22A4), to enter cells. Although the effect of ergothioneine in vivo is an active area of research, its physiological role in humans is undetermined. Ergothioneine is sold as a dietary supplement. Safe intake levels The Panel on Dietetic Products for the European Food Safety Authority reported safe daily limits of 2.82 mg/kg of body weight for infants, 3.39 mg/kg for small children, and 1.31 mg/kg for adults, including pregnant and breastfeeding women.
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is made
occurs
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vitro assays, as well as in vivo animal models, are used in basic research to identify its potential biological properties.
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In
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Ergothioneine
In vitro, ergothioneine
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ETT expression has been confirmed in human and animal cell lines and its functional transport of ergothioneine has been observed in preliminary studies in vivo.
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Ergothioneine is sold as a dietary supplement.
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finds that
reported