Chemical Identity
| Name | L-Glutathione, reduced (GSH) |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | GSH, reduced glutathione, γ-glutamylcysteinylglycine |
| CAS Number | 70-18-8 |
| Molecular Formula | C10H17N3O6S |
| Molecular Weight | 307.32 g/mol |
| Sequence | γ-L-Glutamyl-L-cysteinyl-glycine |
| Structure Class | Endogenous tripeptide with an unusual γ-glutamyl peptide bond and a free, redox-active cysteine thiol |
Mechanisms at a Glance
- The GSH/GSSG ratio is the conventional readout of intracellular redox state, maintained by glutathione reductase at NADPH's expense
- The γ-glutamyl linkage makes it resistant to ordinary intracellular peptidases, so turnover requires γ-glutamyl transpeptidase at the cell surface
- Glutathione S-transferases conjugate it to electrophilic xenobiotics, forming mercapturic acid precursors for excretion
- The free cysteine thiol oxidizes to the disulfide GSSG on air exposure, so a purity figure is only meaningful at the time of testing
Research Applications
- Redox-state measurement via the GSH/GSSG ratio
- Phase II conjugation and glutathione S-transferase assays
- Toxicology endpoints, where glutathione depletion is a standard measure
Handling & Storage
Store lyophilized material at −20 °C, desiccated and protected from light; after reconstitution, keep solutions at 2–8 °C and use within 28 days. The free thiol oxidizes to GSSG on air exposure; keep the vial tightly sealed and make up solutions immediately before use. See our storage and stability guide and reconstitution guide for technique and diluent selection.
Regulatory Status
Glutathione is a biochemical reagent and is not approved by the FDA as a drug for any indication. Material supplied by Aclopiel is strictly for in-vitro laboratory research and is not for human or veterinary use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Glutathione?
Glutathione is the dominant intracellular thiol antioxidant, a tripeptide present at millimolar concentrations in most cell types. Its defining structural quirk is that the glutamate joins through its side-chain carboxyl rather than the usual α-carboxyl.
What is the CAS number of Glutathione?
Glutathione is registered under CAS number 70-18-8. Its molecular formula is C10H17N3O6S and its molecular weight is 307.32 g/mol.
How should Glutathione be stored?
Store lyophilized Glutathione at −20 °C, desiccated and protected from light. After reconstitution, keep it at 2–8 °C and use it within 28 days. The free thiol oxidizes to GSSG on air exposure; keep the vial tightly sealed and make up solutions immediately before use.
Is Glutathione approved for human use?
Glutathione is a biochemical reagent and is not approved by the FDA as a drug for any indication. Aclopiel supplies it strictly for in-vitro laboratory research; it is not for human or veterinary use.
What makes the γ-glutamyl bond important?
An ordinary peptide bond joins the α-carboxyl. Glutathione's glutamate joins through its γ-carboxyl instead, which makes the molecule invisible to normal peptidases and forces its degradation through a dedicated extracellular enzyme. It is the single structural feature that defines how glutathione is handled in a cell.
Why does purity drift after opening?
The free thiol oxidizes to GSSG in air. Keep the vial sealed and make solutions up immediately before use; where the GSH/GSSG ratio is the measurement, degas the buffer and work quickly.
Is glutathione a peptide?
Yes, though an unusual one — a tripeptide of γ-glutamate, cysteine and glycine at 307.32 g/mol.
Alternative Designations & Synonyms
Glutathione also appears in the literature and supplier listings under the following names and codes:
- GSH
- reduced glutathione
- γ-glutamylcysteinylglycine
- L-Glutathione reduced
- γ-Glutamylcysteinylglycine
- L-γ-glutamyl-L-cysteinyl-glycine
References
Meister A, Anderson ME, Annu Rev Biochem 1983;52:711-760; Lu SC, Mol Aspects Med 2009;30:42-59; Forman HJ, Zhang H, Rinna A, Mol Aspects Med 2009;30:1-12.