Gamma-glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine is otherwise better known as
glutathione http://www.niehs.nih.gov/envgenom/abstract/r01-9749.htm
The gamma glutamyl cycle is the way in which amino acids from food are
taken up into the cells of the body. Glutathione is split to produce
a gamma glutamyl fragment. This happens through a transpeptidase
reaction, which is catalyzed by an enzyme called gamma glutamyl
transpeptidase. The gamma glutamyl fragment is transferred from
cys-gly to the amino acid, thus forming a gamma glutamyl amino acid.
This can be imported into the cell. Inside the cell, the amino acid
is split off from the fragment in a reaction which results in the
formation of the cyclic compound 5-oxoproline. 5-oxoproline is
hydrolyzed to reform glutamate, which is then used to produce more
glutathione.
http://drnelson.utmem.edu/aasyn2.html
There is an illustration of the reactions at
http://www.bioperine.com/Manual/PharmPiperine4.htm
Otherwise, glutathione has many other roles in the body because it is
a powerful anti-oxidant. For example, glutathione plays a vital role
in protecting cells from the adverse effects of oxidative stress
caused by pollutants and toxins in the diet and environment.
Oxidative stress is associated with the development of cancer.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/prow/guide/1398792298_g.htm Glutathione is
also important in the detoxification of some drugs in the liver.
Sources:
http://drnelson.utmem.edu/aasyn2.html “Amino acid metabolism” by
David Nelson, Associate Professor, University of Tenessee
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/envgenom/abstract/r01-9749.htm Information
from the Environmental Genome Project web site at the National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/prow/guide/1398792298_g.htm Protein
Reviews on the Web at the National Center for Biotechnology
Information
http://www.bioperine.com/Manual/PharmPiperine4.htm A manual on
Bioperine, on the web site of Sabinsa Corporation, a manufacturer of
nutraceuticals
Search strategy: 1 gamma glutamyl cysteinyl glycine 2.
glutathione, gamma glutamyl cycle
3. glutathione, amino acid metabolism |
