glutathione is one of those subjects where the details matter more than the headlines. This page pulls together the background, the mechanisms, and the practical points readers ask about most.
Updated 2026-01-21. Numbers and descriptions here follow the published literature rather than marketing material.
Glutathione is a small tripeptide built from glutamic acid, cysteine, and glycine. Its peptide bond between glutamate and cysteine involves the gamma-carboxyl group rather than the usual alpha-carboxyl group. This structure gives the molecule a reactive thiol on the cysteine residue. The reduced form, often abbreviated GSH, is the predominant intracellular species in many cell types. Because the thiol can donate electrons, glutathione participates in redox chemistry and in the conjugation of reactive molecules.
Cells synthesize glutathione through two ATP-dependent steps: glutamate-cysteine ligase joins glutamate and cysteine, and glutathione synthetase adds glycine to form the complete tripeptide. Breakdown occurs through gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and subsequent peptidase reactions, forming the gamma-glutamyl cycle. Within cells, glutathione also forms a disulfide-linked dimer called GSSG when two GSH molecules react. The balance between GSH and GSSG is widely used as an indicator of oxidative conditions, although the ratio can vary by compartment and tissue.
Glutathione supports several cellular processes beyond direct antioxidant action. It serves as a cofactor for glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase enzymes, which reduce peroxides and conjugate electrophiles, respectively. The molecule also acts as a reservoir of cysteine, an amino acid that can limit protein synthesis and redox signaling. In human nutrition, oral glutathione is sold as a supplement, but how much intact glutathione reaches tissues after ingestion remains an active research question. Clinical claims about supplementation are not uniformly supported by controlled trials.
Glutathione is a tripeptide composed of glutamate, cysteine, and glycine. Its glutamate-cysteine linkage uses the gamma-carboxyl group of glutamate, a feature that resists standard peptidases. The cysteine residue provides a thiol group, which gives the molecule its reducing character. In cells, glutathione is often the most abundant small-molecule thiol, with concentrations varying widely by tissue and compartment. It exists mainly in a reduced form called GSH, while oxidation produces a disulfide-linked dimer called GSSG.
Biosynthesis proceeds in two ATP-dependent steps. First, glutamate-cysteine ligase joins glutamate and cysteine. Second, glutathione synthetase adds glycine to the intermediate. The pathway is regulated by cysteine availability, enzyme expression, and feedback inhibition by glutathione itself. Liver tissue has a particularly high capacity for synthesis and export. Because the molecule is made inside cells, circulating glutathione reflects a balance of release, uptake, and breakdown rather than simple dietary supply.
Functionally, glutathione supports redox balance by donating electrons and becoming oxidized. It also serves as a cofactor for enzymes such as glutathione peroxidases and glutathione S-transferases. These enzymes participate in peroxide reduction and in conjugation reactions that help process reactive molecules. Separate from antioxidant roles, glutathione can modify protein cysteines through S-glutathionylation, influencing enzyme activity and signaling. Research continues to examine how these chemical roles translate into whole-organism effects.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular formula | C10H17N3O6S | Reduced form; oxidized dimer is C20H32N6O12S2 |
| Molar mass | 307.32 g/mol | For reduced glutathione (GSH) |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder | Typical laboratory and supplement-grade material |
| Solubility | Soluble in water | Poorly soluble in ethanol and other nonpolar solvents |
| Typical storage | -20 C, desiccated, protected from light | Reduced form can oxidize in solution |
Glutathione is a tripeptide composed of glutamate, cysteine, and glycine. It occurs in nearly all living cells, with highest concentrations in liver, kidney, and red blood cells, and exists in reduced (GSH) and oxidized disulfide (GSSG) forms. The cysteine thiol group enables reversible oxidation and reduction reactions. This property makes glutathione a central participant in cellular redox balance. The balance between these forms is often used as an indicator of oxidative stress.
Glutathione synthesis proceeds in two ATP-dependent steps catalyzed by glutamate-cysteine ligase and glutathione synthetase. The first step joins glutamate and cysteine to form gamma-glutamylcysteine and is generally rate-limiting. The second step adds glycine to complete the tripeptide. Cysteine availability, feedback inhibition by glutathione, and oxidative conditions influence flux through this pathway. The pathway is conserved across many organisms, and degradation by gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and related peptidases recycles amino acids for new synthesis.
In cells, glutathione exists mainly in a reduced form called GSH. When two GSH molecules react, they form oxidized glutathione, or GSSG, which contains a disulfide bond. The ratio of GSH to GSSG is often used as an indicator of oxidative stress. Enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase help cycle the molecule between these two states. This cycling supports antioxidant defense, detoxification of reactive molecules, and regulation of certain signaling pathways.
Glutathione is present in most tissues, with especially high concentrations in the liver. It also serves as a cofactor for some enzymes and helps transport amino acids across cell membranes. In plants and microorganisms, glutathione contributes to stress responses and metal handling. The molecule is synthesized in two ATP-dependent steps, first producing gamma-glutamylcysteine and then adding glycine. Because cysteine availability often limits synthesis, dietary and metabolic factors can influence glutathione levels. Research continues to examine how these levels relate to health and disease.
== Interactions == There are several notable drug interactions with progesterone. Certain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, and sertraline may increase the GABAA receptor-related central depressant effects of progesterone by enhancing its conversion into 5α-dihydroprogesterone and allopregnanolone via activation of 3α-HSD. Progesterone potentiates the sedative effects of benzodiazepines and alcohol. Notably, there is a case report of progesterone abuse alone with very high doses. 5α-Reductase inhibitors such as finasteride and dutasteride inhibit the conversion of progesterone into the inhibitory neurosteroid allopregnanolone, and for this reason, may have the potential to reduce the sedative and related effects of progesterone. Progesterone is a weak but significant agonist of the pregnane X receptor (PXR), and has been found to induce several hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes, such as CYP3A4, especially when concentrations are high, such as with pregnancy range levels. As such, progesterone may have the potential to accelerate the metabolism of various medications.
Moscow contains more than 21,500 Wi-Fi access points in student dormitories; in parks; at cultural and sports institutions; and within the Garden Ring and the Third Transport Ring. From September 2020 to August 2021, 1,700 public Wi-Fi access points were launched in Moscow. The structure of the city's Wi-Fi network allows residents to use the Internet without reauthorization.
==== 1.B. β-Barrel porins and other outer membrane proteins ==== 1.B.1 General bacterial porin family 1.B.2 Chlamydial porin (CP) family 1.B.3 Sugar porin (SP) family 1.B.4 Brucella-Rhizobium porin (BRP) family 1.B.5 Pseudomonas OprP porin (POP) family 1.B.6 OmpA-OmpF porin (OOP) family 1.B.7 Rhodobacter PorCa porin (RPP) family 1.B.8 Mitochondrial and plastid porin (MPP) family 1.B.9 FadL outer membrane protein (FadL) family 1.B.10 Nucleoside-specific channel-forming outer membrane porin (Tsx) family 1.B.11 Outer membrane fimbrial usher porin (FUP) family 1.B.12 Autotransporter-1 (AT-1) family 1.B.13 Alginate export porin (AEP) family 1.B.14 Outer membrane receptor (OMR) family 1.B.15 Raffinose porin (RafY) family 1.B.16 Short chain amide and urea porin (SAP) family 1.B.17 Outer membrane factor (OMF) family 1.B.18 Outer membrane auxiliary (OMA) protein family 1.B.19 Glucose-selective OprB porin (OprB) family 1.B.20 Two-partner secretion (TPS) family 1.B.21 OmpG porin (OmpG) family 1.B.22 Outer bacterial membrane secretin (secretin) family 1.B.23 Cyanobacterial porin (CBP) family 1.B.24 Mycobacterial porin 1.B.25 Outer membrane porin (Opr) family 1.B.26 Cyclodextrin porin (CDP) family 1.B.31 Campylobacter jejuni major outer membrane porin (MomP) family 1.B.32 Fusobacterial outer membrane porin (FomP) family 1.B.33 Outer membrane protein insertion porin (Bam complex) (OmpIP) family 1.B.34 Corynebacterial porins 1.B.35 Oligogalacturonate-specific porin (KdgM) family 1.B.39 Bacterial porin, OmpW (OmpW) family 1.B.42 Outer membrane lipopolysaccharide export porin (LPS-EP) family 1.B.43 Coxiella porin P1 (CPP1) family 1.B.44 Probable protein translocating porphyromonas gingivalis porin (PorT) family 1.B.49 Anaplasma P44 (A-P44) porin family 1.B.48 Curli-like transporters 1.B.54 Intimin/Invasin (Int/Inv) or Autotransporter-3 family 1.B.55 Poly-acetyl-D-glucosamine porin (PgaA) family 1.B.57 Legionella major-outer membrane protein (LM-OMP) family 1.B.60 Omp50 porin (Omp50 Porin) family 1.B.61 Delta-proteobacterial porin (Delta-porin) family 1.B.62 Putative bacterial porin (PBP) family 1.B.66 Putative beta-barrel porin-2 (BBP2) family 1.B.67 Putative beta barrel porin-4 (BBP4) family 1.B.68 Putative beta barrel porin-5 (BBP5) superfamily 1.B.70 Outer membrane channel (OMC) family 1.B.71 Proteobacterial/verrucomicrobial porin (PVP) family 1.B.72 Protochlamydial outer membrane porin (PomS/T) family 1.B.73 Capsule biogenesis/assembly (CBA) family 1.B.78 DUF3374 electron transport-associated porin (ETPorin) family
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
When an action potential is triggered, the membrane potential abruptly shoots upward and then equally abruptly shoots back downward, often ending below the resting level, where it remains for some period of time. The shape of the action potential is stereotyped; this means that the rise and fall usually have approximately the same amplitude and time course for all action potentials in a given cell. (Exceptions are discussed later in the article) In most neurons, the entire process takes place in about a thousandth of a second. Many types of neurons emit action potentials constantly at rates of up to 10–100 per second. However, some types are much quieter, and may go for minutes or longer without emitting any action potentials.
=== COVID-19 pandemic === On 20 January 2020, Xi commented for the first time on the emerging COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan, and ordered "efforts to curb the spread" of the virus. He gave premier Li Keqiang some responsibility over the COVID-19 response, in what has been suggested by The Wall Street Journal was an attempt to potentially insulate himself from criticism if the response failed. The government initially responded to the pandemic with a lockdown and censorship, with the initial response causing widespread backlash within China. Xi met with Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), on 28 January. Der Spiegel reported that in January 2020 Xi pressured Tedros Adhanom to hold off on issuing a global warning about the outbreak of COVID-19 and hold back information on human-to-human transmission of the virus, allegations denied by the WHO. On 5 February, Xi met with Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen in Beijing, the first foreign leader allowed into China since the outbreak. After the COVID-19 outbreak got under control in Wuhan, Xi visited the city on 10 March. After getting the outbreak in Wuhan under control, Xi has favoured what has officially been termed "dynamic zero-COVID policy" that aims to control and suppress the virus as much as possible within the country's borders. This has involved local lockdowns and mass-testing.
==== Advantages ==== Increase efficacy and therapeutic index of drug and stability via encapsulation Non-toxic, flexible, biocompatible, completely biodegradable, and non-immunogenic for systemic and non-systemic administrations Reduce toxicity of the encapsulated agent (amphotericin B, Taxol) Reduce the exposure of sensitive tissues to toxic drugs, site avoidance effect and flexibility to couple with site-specific ligands to achieve active targeting
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
The Pantheon of Skeptics was created by CSI to remember the legacy of deceased fellows of CSI and their contributions to the cause of scientific scepticism. A sculpted bust of Francis Crick by John Sherrill Houser, which incorporates a single "Golden" Helix, was cast in bronze in the artist's studio in New Mexico, US. The bronze was first displayed at the Francis Crick Memorial Conference (on Consciousness) at Churchill College, Cambridge on 7 July 2012; it was bought by Mill Hill School in May 2013, and displayed at the inaugural Crick Dinner on 8 June 2013, and was again at their Crick Centenary Dinner in 2016. The Benjamin Franklin Medal for Distinguished Achievement in the Sciences of the American Philosophical Society (2001), together with Watson. Crick featured in the BBC Radio 4 series The New Elizabethans to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2012. A panel of seven academics, journalists and historians named Crick among a group of 60 people in the UK "whose actions during the reign of Elizabeth II have had a significant impact on lives in these islands and given the age its character".
On May 26, Austria's domestic intelligence service reported that Iran was pursuing an advanced nuclear weapons program with ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads over long distances. Iran rejected the intelligence report as "false and baseless", calling it an attempt to create "media hype" against Iran and lacking any credibility. Iran also denied having agreed to a three-year pause of its enrichment program. On June 2, Reuters reported that Iran was preparing to decline the US proposal. After speculation that Iran might be allowed limited uranium enrichment under a possible deal, Senator Schumer demanded that Witkoff testify before Congress to clarify whether any such side agreement existed. The administration publicly maintained that Iran would not be permitted to enrich uranium. Trump also declared firmly that the deal would prohibit it. Khamenei responded that uranium enrichment is central to Iran's nuclear program and he rejected US demands to halt it. Although the American government had suspended new sanctions on Iran on June 2, just four days later it imposed secondary sanctions on 10 individuals and 27 financial investment companies and trading firms.
An alpha helix (or α-helix) is a sequence of amino acids in a protein that are twisted into a coil (a helix). The alpha helix is the most common structural arrangement in the secondary structure of proteins. It is also the most extreme type of local structure, and it is the local structure that is most easily predicted from a sequence of amino acids. The alpha helix has a right-handed helix conformation in which every backbone N−H group hydrogen bonds to the backbone C=O group of the amino acid that is four residues earlier in the protein sequence. The alpha helix is also commonly called a: Pauling–Corey–Branson α-helix (from the names of three scientists who described its structure) 3.613-helix because there are 3.6 amino acids in one ring, with 13 atoms being involved in the ring formed by the hydrogen bond (starting with amidic hydrogen and ending with carbonyl oxygen)
Since TPD observes the mass of desorbed molecules, it shows what molecules are adsorbed on the surface. Moreover, TPD recognizes the different adsorption conditions of the same molecule from the differences between the desorption temperatures of molecules desorbing different sites at the surface, e.g. terraces vs. steps. TPD also obtains the amounts of adsorbed molecules on the surface from the intensity of the peaks of the TPD spectrum, and the total amount of adsorbed species is shown by the integral of the spectrum. To measure TPD, one needs a mass spectrometer, such as a quadrupole mass spectrometer or a time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer, under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions. The amount of adsorbed molecules is measured by increasing the temperature at a heating rate of typically 2 K/s to 10 K/s. Several masses may be simultaneously measured by the mass spectrometer, and the intensity of each mass as a function of temperature is obtained as a TDS spectrum. The heating procedure is often controlled by the PID control algorithm, with the controller being either a computer or specialised equipment such as a Eurotherm. Other methods of measuring desorption are Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) or using infrared detectors, thermal conductivity detectors etc.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
It is a tripeptide of glutamic acid, cysteine, and glycine. The linkage between glutamate and cysteine uses the gamma-carboxyl group, which is unusual for peptides.
GSH is the reduced form with a free thiol group. GSSG is the oxidized dimer formed when two GSH molecules join by a disulfide bond.
It is synthesized inside cells and is not classified as an essential dietary nutrient for most people. Dietary and supplemental sources are studied, but direct requirements are not established in the same way as for vitamins.
Glutathione is a sulfur-containing tripeptide made from glutamate, cysteine, and glycine. It is found in most cells and participates in redox balance and detoxification reactions.