The active site of Escherichia coli glutaredoxin-3 (Grx3) consists of two redox active cysteine residues in the sequence -C-11-P-Y-C-14-H-. The H-1 NMR resonance of the cysteine thiol proton of Cys-14 in reduced Grx3 is observed at 7.6 ppm. The large downfield shift and NOEs observed with this thiol proton resonance suggest the presence of a hydrogen bond with the Cvs-ll thiolate, which is shown to have an abnormally low pK(a) value. A hydrogen bond would also agree,vith activity data of Grx3 active site mutants. Furthermore, the activity is reduced in a Grx3 H15V mutant, indicating electrostatic contributions to the stabilization of the Cys-ll thiolate, (C) 1999 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.