Biomaterial Database

Lenticular glutathione synthesis: rate-limiting factors in its regulation and decline. 1984

W B Rathbun

Six factors were analyzed which may be involved in the decline of glutathione synthesis in the aging lens and cataract, with special emphasis placed upon the human lens. The factors included: 1) lability of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase, 2) paucity of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase in primate lenses as compared to other mammalian lenses, 3) enzyme activity reduction with age in the human lens, 4) rate control by reactant scarcity, especially of cysteine and magnesium ion, 5) rate control by inhibition using 5'-AMP, 5'-ADP and glutathione, and 6) possible dissociation of the multi-enzyme complex. It was concluded that decline of the glutathione synthetic capacity in vivo would be most likely caused by reduction of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase activity rather than of glutathione synthetase activity.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007223	Infant	A child between 1 and 23 months of age.	Infants
D007908	Lens, Crystalline	A transparent, biconvex structure of the EYE, enclosed in a capsule and situated behind the IRIS and in front of the vitreous humor (VITREOUS BODY). It is slightly overlapped at its margin by the ciliary processes. Adaptation by the CILIARY BODY is crucial for OCULAR ACCOMMODATION.	Eye Lens,Lens, Eye,Crystalline Lens
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D009097	Multienzyme Complexes	Systems of enzymes which function sequentially by catalyzing consecutive reactions linked by common metabolic intermediates. They may involve simply a transfer of water molecules or hydrogen atoms and may be associated with large supramolecular structures such as MITOCHONDRIA or RIBOSOMES.	Complexes, Multienzyme
D011323	Primates	An order of mammals consisting of more than 300 species that include LEMURS; LORISIDAE; TARSIERS; MONKEYS; and HOMINIDS. They are characterized by a relatively large brain when compared with other terrestrial mammals, forward-facing eyes, the presence of a CALCARINE SULCUS, and specialized MECHANORECEPTORS in the hands and feet which allow the perception of light touch.	Primate
D002386	Cataract	Partial or complete opacity on or in the lens or capsule of one or both eyes, impairing vision or causing blindness. The many kinds of cataract are classified by their morphology (size, shape, location) or etiology (cause and time of occurrence). (Dorland, 27th ed)	Cataract, Membranous,Lens Opacities,Pseudoaphakia,Cataracts,Cataracts, Membranous,Lens Opacity,Membranous Cataract,Membranous Cataracts,Opacities, Lens,Opacity, Lens,Pseudoaphakias
D002648	Child	A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL.	Children
D002675	Child, Preschool	A child between the ages of 2 and 5.	Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D005721	Glutamate-Cysteine Ligase	One of the enzymes active in the gamma-glutamyl cycle. It catalyzes the synthesis of gamma-glutamylcysteine from glutamate and cysteine in the presence of ATP with the formation of ADP and orthophosphate. EC 6.3.2.2.	gamma-Glutamyl-Cysteine Synthetase,Glutamylcysteine Synthetase,Glutamate Cysteine Ligase,Ligase, Glutamate-Cysteine,Synthetase, Glutamylcysteine,Synthetase, gamma-Glutamyl-Cysteine,gamma Glutamyl Cysteine Synthetase
D005978	Glutathione	A tripeptide with many roles in cells. It conjugates to drugs to make them more soluble for excretion, is a cofactor for some enzymes, is involved in protein disulfide bond rearrangement and reduces peroxides.	Reduced Glutathione,gamma-L-Glu-L-Cys-Gly,gamma-L-Glutamyl-L-Cysteinylglycine,Glutathione, Reduced,gamma L Glu L Cys Gly,gamma L Glutamyl L Cysteinylglycine