The O to S substitution in urea brings inhibition activity against thiocyanate dehydrogenase

According to steady-state kinetic experiments, thiourea inhibits thiocyanate dehydrogenase TcDH, whereas urea does not. The QM/MM modeling combined with electron density analysis reveals the molecular mechanism of this process. For both compounds, interactions with bulk water molecules are similar, but upon binding to the active site of thiocyanate dehydrogenase a sulfur atom forms stronger coordination bonds with copper ions than an oxygen.