Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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| Symbol: Pr; atomic weight: 140.907; atomic number: 59 |
| Symbol: Kr; atomic weight: 83.80; atomic number: 36 |
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glutathione glu·ta·thi·one (gl&oomacr;'tə-thī'ōn')
n.
A tripeptide of the amino acids glycine, cystine, and glutamic acid occurring widely in plant and animal tissues and forming reduced and oxidized forms important in biological oxidation-reduction reactions.
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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glutathione  (gl 'tə-thī'ōn') Pronunciation Key
A polypeptide consisting of glycine, cysteine, and glutamic acid that occurs widely in plant and animal tissues. It is important in cellular respiration in both plants and animals, and serves as a cofactor for many enzymes. It is a major protective mechanism against oxidative stress. For example, it protects red blood cells from hydrogen peroxide, a toxic byproduct of certain metabolic reactions. |
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glutathione
a tripeptide (i.e., compound composed of three amino acids), the chemical name of which is gamma-l-glutamyl-l-cysteinylglycine. Widely distributed in nature, it has been isolated from yeast, muscle, and liver. Glutathione has a role in the respiration of both mammalian and plant tissues and protects red blood cells against hydrogen peroxide, which is a toxic by-product of many metabolic reactions, by reducing the peroxide to water. It serves as a cofactor for various enzymes; e.g., glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, to which it becomes firmly bound.
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