Gamma-glutamyl cysteine synthetase is up-regulated during recovery of brain mitochondrial complex I following neurotoxic insult in mice.

Beta-N-Oxalyl amino-L-alanine (L-BOAA), a naturally occurring excitatory amino acid inhibits mitochondrial complex I activity in motor cortex and lumbar spinal cord of mice through oxidation of critical thiol groups. Glutaredoxin, a protein disulfide oxido-reductase mediates recovery of complex I by regenerating protein thiols utilizing reducing equivalents of glutathione. We have examined the status of gamma-glutamyl cysteine synthetase (gamma-GCS), the rate limiting enzyme in glutathione synthesis during recovery of complex I function following L-BOAA toxicity. Sustained and maximal up-regulation of gamma-GCS was seen in motor cortex which was associated with regeneration of complex I activity. In lumbosacral cord, however, the up-regulation was transient and complex I function did not recover. These studies demonstrate the important role of gamma-GCS in mediating the recovery of mitochondrial function following excitotoxic insult and its differential regulation in central nervous system regions.