Glutathione disulfide

Glutathione disulfide (GSSG) is a disulfide derived from two glutathione molecules.

In living cells, glutathione disulfide is reduced into two molecules of glutathione with reducing equivalents from the coenzymeNADPH. This reaction is catalyzed by the enzymeglutathione reductase.

Antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione peroxidases and peroxiredoxins, generate glutathione disulfide during the reduction of peroxides such as hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and organic hydroperoxides (ROOH):

2 GSH + ROOH → GSSG + ROH + H₂O

Other enzymes, such as glutaredoxins, generate glutathione disulfide through thiol-disulfide exchange with protein disulfide bonds or other low molecular mass compounds, such as coenzyme A disulfide or dehydroascorbic acid.

2 GSH + R-S-S-R → GSSG + 2 RSH

The GSH:GSSG ratio is therefore an important bioindicator of cellular health, with a higher ratio signifying less oxidative stress in the organism. A lower ratio may even be indicative of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease.