Glutathione | Research Use Only

What it is

Glutathione, commonly abbreviated GSH, is a naturally occurring intracellular tripeptide composed of glutamate, cysteine, and glycine. It is widely described in the scientific literature as one of the major low-molecular-weight thiols involved in cellular redox balance and detoxification-related processes.

Origins and scientific context

Glutathione is not an engineered analog but an endogenous biomolecule synthesized in cells through ATP-dependent enzymatic steps. Reviews describe its biosynthesis as occurring through glutamate-cysteine ligase followed by glutathione synthetase, with cysteine availability and enzyme activity serving as major determinants of intracellular glutathione status.

Molecular profile

Glutathione is commonly identified as γ-L-glutamyl-L-cysteinylglycine. PubChem lists glutathione with the molecular formula C10H17N3O6S and a molecular weight of approximately 307.32 g/mol.

Scientific overview

In simplified terms, glutathione is used in research to study intracellular antioxidant systems, thiol chemistry, cellular redox regulation, and detoxification-related pathways. Scientific reviews describe GSH/GSSG as a major redox couple in animal cells and emphasize glutathione’s role in protecting cells from oxidative damage and electrophilic stress.

What researchers study with Glutathione

Key research focus areas often include
• Cellular redox balance and oxidative stress models
• Glutathione biosynthesis and recycling pathways
• Detoxification-related and glutathione-dependent enzyme systems
• Intracellular thiol status and signaling responses

Regulatory and compliance notice

Research Use Only. Not for human or veterinary use. This description is provided for scientific context and must not be used to market glutathione for diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease.

Citations and references

PubChem compound entry for Glutathione, includes molecular formula, molecular weight, and compound information.

Wu et al. Glutathione metabolism and its implications for health, review describing glutathione as the major redox couple in animal cells and summarizing its biosynthesis and regulation.

Pizzorno. Glutathione!, review describing glutathione as a tripeptide composed of cysteine, glycine, and glutamic acid and outlining its cellular significance.

Forman et al. Glutathione: Overview of its protective roles, measurement, and biosynthesis, review covering glutathione’s role in redox homeostasis and cellular protection.