glutathione

noun Biochemistry.

1. a crystalline, water-soluble peptide of glutamic acid, cysteine, and glycine, C10H17N3O6S, found in blood and in animal and plant tissues, and important in tissue oxidations and in the activation of some enzymes.

noun

1. biochem a tripeptide consisting of glutamic acid, cysteine, and glycine: important in biological oxidations and the activation of some enzymes. Formula: C 10 H 17 N 3 O 6 S

n.

1. A tripeptide of the amino acids glycine, cystine, and glutamic acid occurring widely in plant and animal tissues and forming reduced and oxidized forms important in biological oxidation-reduction reactions.

1. A polypeptide consisting of glycine, cysteine, and glutamic acid that occurs widely in plant and animal tissues. It is important in cellular respiration in both plants and animals, and serves as a cofactor for many enzymes. It is a major protective mechanism against oxidative stress. For example, it protects red blood cells from hydrogen peroxide, a toxic byproduct of certain metabolic reactions.