S-glutathionylation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase: role of thiol oxidation and catalysis by glutaredoxin.

The findings in this article illustrate the complexity residing in the regulation of reversible S-glutathionylation of proteins, such as GAPDH. This is clearly reflected in the design of suitable experimental approaches designed to cope with the interaction of several redox-dependent factors. Clear interactions are demonstrated between oxidative modification of GAPDH and its subsequent S-glutathionylation. Similarly, a redox interaction between GSSG and GAPDH with Grx as the catalyst is shown, suggesting that the Grx molecule may participate in catalytic S-glutathionylation in intact cells. Furthermore, Grx itself can readily undergo S-glutathionylation, indicating the potential for regulation of this catalyst of the reversible S-glutathionylation of other proteins. The methodologies detailed in this work may provide a good reference point for other attempts to elucidate the mechanism of reversible S-glutathionylation of purified proteins in a manner that more closely resembles the situation arising in intact cells during the generation of oxidative stress.