A short review on the role of glutathione in the response of yeasts to nutritional, environmental, and oxidative stresses

Glutathione (L-gamma-Glutamyl-L-Cysteinylglycine) appears as the major nonp rotein thiol compound in yeasts. Recent advances have shown that glutathion e (GSH) seems to be involved in the response of yeasts to different nutriti onal and oxidative stresses. When the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is sta rved for sulfur or nitrogen nutrients, GSH may be mobilized to ensure cellu lar maintenance. Glutathione S-transferases may be involved in the detoxifi cation of electrophilic xenobiotics. Vacuolar transport of metal derivative s of GSH ensure resistance to metal stress. Growth of methylotrophic yeasts on methanol results in the formation of an excess formaldehyde that is det oxified by a GSH-dependent formaldehyde dehydrogenase. Growth of yeasts on glycerol results in the accumulation of methylglyoxal detoxified by the gly oxalase pathway. Glutathione per se can react with oxidative agents or is i nvolved in the oxidative stress response through glutathione peroxidase. Pu blished by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.