Background information
GSS (Glutathione synthetase) is a 474 amino acid protein encoded by the gene located at human chromosome 20q11.2. GSS consists of three loops projecting from an antiparallel ∫-sheet, a parallel ∫-sheet and a lid of anti-parallel sheets, which provide access to the ATP-binding site. Although Southern blot and gene analysis suggest that GSS may be the only member of a unique family, the crystal structure indicates that GSS belongs to the ATP-GRASP superfamily. GSS is expressed in hemocytes and nucleated cells, including the brain. GSS occurs as a homodimer. There are two steps in the production of Glutathione, begining with GSS (Glutathione synthetase) is a 474 amino acid protein encoded by the gene located at human chromosome 20q11.2. GSS consists of three loops projecting from an antiparallel ∫-sheet, a parallel ∫-sheet and a lid of anti-parallel sheets, which provide access to the ATP-binding site. Although Southern blot and gene analysis suggest that GSS may be the only member of a unique family, the crystal structure indicates that GSS belongs to the ATP-GRASP superfamily. GSS is expressed in hemocytes and nucleated cells, including the brain. GSS occurs as a homodimer. There are two steps in the production of Glutathione, begining with ©-GCS and ending with GSS. In an ATP-dependent reaction, GSS produces Glutathione from ©-glutamylcysteine and glycine precursors. Partial hepatectomy, diethyl maleate, buthionine sulfoximine, tert-butylhaydroquinone and thioacetamide increase the ex-pression of GSS, which causes an increase in Glutathione levels. An inherited autosomal recessive disorder, 5-oxoprolinuria (pyroglutamic aciduria), is caused by GSS deficiencies, which leads to central nervous system damage, hemolytic anemia, metabolic acidosis and urinary excretion of 5-oxoproline. A missense mutation in the gene encoding GSS leads to a GSS deficiency restricted to erythrocytes, which causes only hemolytic anemia.-GCS and ending with GSS.
