Cellular reactive oxygen species and glutathione redox system (ROS/GSH system)

The cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) redox system is a complex biochemical network essential for maintaining intracellular redox homeostasis and protecting cells from oxidative damage (Source: Sies & Jones, Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, 2020). ROS, such as superoxide anions and hydrogen peroxide, are generated primarily as byproducts of mitochondrial respiration and serve as critical secondary messengers in signal transduction at physiological levels. The glutathione system, which includes the tripeptide GSH and enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione reductase (GR), serves as the primary antioxidant buffer by neutralizing ROS and maintaining the thiol-disulfide balance (Source: Forman & Zhang, Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 2021). Chronic imbalance in this system leads to oxidative stress, a condition implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer, neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's, and cardiovascular diseases. Therapeutic strategies targeting this system include the use of antioxidants like N-acetylcysteine to replenish GSH levels or the use of pro-oxidants and GSH-depleting agents like buthionine sulfoximine to selectively sensitize cancer cells to therapy (Source: Kennedy et al., Biomolecules, 2020).

Other names

Redox homeostasis systemROS-GSH axisGlutathione antioxidant systemCellular redox environment

Modulation of redox homeostasis through ROS scavenging, inhibition of glutathione synthesis, or inhibition of glutathione-dependent enzymes.