[The function of glutathione/glutathione peroxidase system in the oxidative stress resistance systems of microbial cells].

The physiological roles of the glutathione(GSH)/glutathione peroxidase(GPx) system in protecting microbial cells against oxidative stress were reviewed. In eukaryotic model microbe Saccharomyces cerevisiae,this system is obligatory in maintaining the redox balance and defending the oxidative stress. However, the GSH/GPx system only conditionally exists in prokaryotes. Namely,for those prokaryote bacteria containing glutathione reductase and GPx, e.g. Haemophilus influenzae and Lactococcus lactis, by taking up GSH, they might develop a conditional GSH-dependent GPx reduction system, which conferred cells a stronger resistance against oxidative challenge.