Selective detection of the reduced form of glutathione (GSH) over the oxidized (GSSG) form using a combination of glutathione reductase and a Tb(III)-cyclen maleimide based lanthanide luminescent 'switch on' assay.

The synthesis of a novel Tb(III) luminescent probe for the detection of thiols is presented. The probe 1.Tb, possessing a maleimide moiety, as its sulfhydryl acceptor, was poorly emitting in aqueous pH 7 solution in the absence of a thiol. However, upon addition of thiols such as glutathione (GSH), large enhancements were observed, particularly within the physiological pH range. In contrast no enhancements were observed in the presence of the oxidized form of glutathione (GSSG), except in the presence of the enzyme glutathione reductase and NADPH which enabled 1.Tb to be used to observe the enzymatic reduction of GSSG to GSH in real time.