Cellular thiol system

The cellular thiol system refers to the integrated network of small-molecule and protein thiols (including but not limited to glutathione, cysteine residues, coenzyme A, thioredoxin, and glutaredoxin systems) responsible for maintaining intracellular redox equilibrium. These systems act as electron donors/acceptors, facilitate antioxidant defense, regulate protein folding via disulfide bond formation and breakage, and enable post-translational modifications that control signaling and gene regulation. The thiol system is not a discrete therapeutic target but rather a biological framework fundamental to cell survival, stress response, and signaling. Defects or imbalances in thiol systems have been implicated in multiple diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and inflammatory conditions.

Other names

Cellular thiol-disulfide redox systemCellular thiol-disulfide networkThiol antioxidant systemThiol redox system

Restoration or depletion of intracellular thiols; Reversal of protein S-glutathionylation; Enhancement or inhibition of antioxidant capacity