Enzyme Activity Measurement of Glutathione-Disulfide Reductase Using Spectrophotometric Assays

Creative Enzymes offers prominent activity assay services in the enzyme service industry. Our superb research teams and sensitive devices deliver accurate and reliable testing results for many enzymes. We are particularly professional in testing oxidoreductases, such as glutathione-disulfide reductase.

Glutathione-disulfide reductase (EC 1.8.1.7, formerly EC 1.6.4.2) is a homodimeric FAD-containing protein which belongs to the family of NADPH-dependent oxidoreductases and is present in many prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. It catalyzes the conversion from glutathione disulfide (GSSG) to the sulfhydryl form glutathione (GSH), which is an essential molecule in resisting oxidative stress and maintaining the reducing environment. During the catalysis, the flow of electrons is from NADPH to FAD, positioning the active center disulfide and hence to GSSG.

Glutathione-disulfide reductase has been an attractive target for many pharmaceuticals because the catalysis product glutathione is a major player in intracellular redox homeostasis and detoxication process in cells. Besides, glutathione-disulfide reductase is considered to be a good target for anti-malarials for the observation that the protein folding of glutathione-disulfide reductase in different P. falciparum strains completely differs from other mammals. In order to design drugs specific to P. falciparum, studies are carried out on this enzyme from two directions. On one hand, the inhibitors are developed to block the combination of glutathione disulfide, which identified as a gate keeper protein in the glutathione redox system. On the other hand, new drugs are being developed to rely on glutathione reductase to regenerate. Up to now, despite the extensive enzymatic and structural studies of glutathione-disulfide reductase, effective pharmaceuticals applications of the enzyme have not been realized in clinical therapy. To better understand this enzyme and fill the blanks towards its applications, more research is targeted at the potential drug development. Creative Enzymes provides accurate activity assays of glutathione-disulfide reductase for both purified enzyme and enzyme-containing extractions to support your research.

Creative Enzymes is established on the basis of first-in-class service quality and complete customer satisfaction. Associated with remarkable skills and extraordinary specialists, our quantification services are assured with high reproducibility and low variations. We sincerely look forward to winning your business soon in the future.

Figure: The crystal structure of glutathione-disulfide reductase complex with glutathione and FAD.
Reference: Karplus, P.A. et al. J.Mol.Biol. 1989 210: 163-180