Progress in the research of GSH in cells

Glutathione (GSH), γ-Glu-Cys-Gly, is one of the most abundant small non-protein thiol molecules in mammalian tissues, particularly in the liver. Although glutathione is present in thiol-reduced (GSH) and disulfide oxidized (GSSG) forms, the predominant form is GSH and its content can exceed 10 mmol/L in liver cells. As an important intracellular reductant, GSH has many biological functions in cells. Its major function is as an anti-oxidant as it can protect proteins from oxidation by reversible posttranslational modification (glutathionylation) and decrease reactive oxygen species-mediated damage. However, it does have numerous other functions, including to chelate metal irons; enhance the absorption of iron, selenium and calcium; participate in lipid and insulin metabolism; regulate cellular events such as gene expression, DNA and protein synthesis, cell proliferation and apoptosis, redox-dependent signal transduction pathways, cytokine production and the immune response; and control protein glutathionylation. Therefore, GSH plays important roles in cell survival and health, and an imbalance in the GSH level can lead to many diseases. In this review, we provide an overview of the function of GSH in mammalian cells and discuss future research of GSH.