Question

Glutathione, a tripeptide found in virtually all cells, functions as a reducing agent. The structure of glutathione is

What amino acids make up glutathione?

Short answer

Gly, Glu and Cys make up glutathione.

Step-by-step solution

Introduction of Glutathione

As the most important low molecular weight antioxidant synthesized in cells, glutathione (GSH) is the tripeptide – l - glutamic - l - cysteine - glycine. Cysteine and glutamate are sequentially added to glutamate, followed by glycine.

To find the amino acids

Glutathione, a tripeptide containing a thiol group, serves as a mild reducing agent to detoxify peroxides and maintain the cysteine residues of haemoglobin in the reduced state.

Complete hydrolysis of glutathione gives Gly, Glu, and Cys.

Hence these amino acids make up glutathione Gly, Glu and Cys.