GST function in drug and stress response

Glutathione (GSH) is the major non-protein thiol in cells and is a co-facto r for many types of conjugation reactions involving glutathione S-transfera ses (GST). Because of the defined role of GST in drug metabolism, elevated expression of GST pi either as a tumor marker or in drug resistance has aut omatically been linked to detoxification. Similarly, GSH has mostly been vi ewed as a passive cellular supply of nucleophilic sulfur. This mini-review highlights recent reports which advocate a novel, non-catalytic role for GS T pi as an integral determinant of cellular pathways of stress response, pr oliferation and apoptosis.