The Function of the 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. The GSH/GPx system is obligatory for maintaining the redox balance and defending the oxidative stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a model eukaryotic organism. However, the system only conditionally exists in prokaryotes. That is, for those prokaryotic 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 the cells a stronger resistance against oxidative challenge.