Synthesis of S-alkyl L-homocysteine analogues of glutathione and their kinetic studies with gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase.

A series of S-alkyl L-homocysteine analogues of glutathione was synthesized with varied oxidation state of the sulfur and tested for inhibition of rat kidney gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT). The strong selectivity of the enzyme with respect to the sulfur oxidation state reveals important information for the development of powerful competitive inhibitors.