GCLM Human
Description
GCLM is fused to a 24 amino acid His-tag at N-terminus & purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.
Product Specs
Product Science Overview
Glutamate-Cysteine Ligase (GCL) is a critical enzyme in the biosynthesis of glutathione (GSH), a major antioxidant that protects cells from oxidative stress. GCL is composed of two subunits: the catalytic subunit (GCLC) and the modifier subunit (GCLM). The modifier subunit, also known as the Glutamate-Cysteine Ligase Modifier Subunit (GCLM), plays a crucial role in regulating the activity of the catalytic subunit.
GCLM is a protein coding gene that encodes the modifier subunit of the enzyme glutamate-cysteine ligase. The GCLM protein itself does not possess enzymatic activity but enhances the catalytic efficiency of the GCLC when they form a holoenzyme complex . The GCLM subunit is approximately 31 kDa in size and is essential for the proper functioning of the GCL enzyme .
Glutathione is synthesized in a two-step process, with GCL catalyzing the first and rate-limiting step. This step involves the ATP-dependent condensation of glutamate and cysteine to form gamma-glutamylcysteine (γ-GC) . The presence of GCLM increases the affinity of GCLC for its substrates and enhances the overall catalytic activity of the enzyme .
GCLM is critical for maintaining cellular redox balance and protecting cells from oxidative damage. Dysregulation of GCLM and GCL activity has been implicated in various human diseases, including diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), HIV/AIDS, and cancer . In cancer, increased expression and activity of GCLM and GCL support high levels of cell proliferation and confer resistance to many chemotherapeutic agents .
The GCLM gene is located on chromosome 1 and is subject to alternative splicing, resulting in multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms . The gene is regulated at multiple levels, including transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational modifications . Genetic knockdown of GCLM results in embryonic lethality, highlighting its essential role in cellular function .
Given its pivotal role in glutathione biosynthesis, GCLM is a potential therapeutic target for modulating cellular antioxidant capacity. Strategies to enhance or inhibit GCLM activity could have significant implications for treating diseases associated with oxidative stress and glutathione dysregulation .
