Glutathione

Chemical & Structural Information

• Compound type: Naturally occurring tripeptide and antioxidant
• CAS Number: 70-18-8
• Molecular Formula: C10H17N3O6S
• Molecular Weight: approximately 307.33 g/mol
• Structure: gamma-glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine (Glu-Cys-Gly).

What It Is

Glutathione is a small three-amino-acid molecule found naturally inside cells. It is one of the main molecules
researchers study when looking at antioxidant defence and how cells handle chemical stress.

Research Focus 

• Antioxidant defence - glutathione helps control reactive oxygen molecules produced during normal cell activity.
• Peroxide breakdown - glutathione is used by glutathione peroxidase enzymes.
• Detoxification - cells can attach glutathione to certain compounds to make them easier to process.
• Redox balance - researchers often compare reduced glutathione (GSH) with oxidised glutathione (GSSG).

How It Is Studied

The cysteine part of glutathione contains sulfur that can take part in redox reactions. Glutathione can switch between
reduced and oxidised forms and then be recycled.

Glossary

• Antioxidant: A molecule that helps control damaging oxidation reactions.
• Reactive oxygen species: Highly reactive oxygen-containing molecules.
• Redox: Chemical reactions involving electron transfer.
• Tripeptide: A peptide made from three amino acids.

For Research Purposes Only