Regulation of protein function by glutathionylation.
The main function of reduced glutathione (GSH) is to protect from oxidative stress as a reactive oxygen scavenger. However, in the context of redox regulation, the ratio between GSH and its oxidized form (GSSG) determines the redox state of redox-sensitive cysteines in some proteins and, thus, acts as a signaling system. While GSH/GSSG can catalyze oxido-reduction of intra- and inter-chain disulfides by thiol-disulfide exchange, this review focuses on the formation of mixed disulfides between glutathione and proteins, also known as glutathionylation. The review discusses the regulatory role of this post-translational modification and the role of protein disulfide oxidoreductases (thioredoxin/thioredoxin reductase, glutaredoxin, protein disulfide isomerase) in the reversibility of this process.
Ghezzi
Pietro
P
Mario Negri Institute, Milan, Italy. ghezzi@marionegri.it
D000818:Animals; D004220:Disulfides / Q000378:metabolism; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D004220:Disulfides; D011506:Proteins; D005978:Glutathione