Glutathione synthesis and its role in redox signaling

Glutathione (GSH) is the most abundant antioxidant and a major detoxification agent in cells. It is synthesized through two-enzyme reaction catalyzed by glutamate cysteine ligase and glutathione synthetase, and its level is well regulated in response to redox change. Accumulating evidence suggests that GSH may play important roles in cell signaling. This review will focus on the biosynthesis of GSH, the reaction of S-glutathionylation (the conjugation of GSH with thiol residue on proteins), GSNO, and their roles in redox signaling. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.