Thiol Protection Research Articles

Glutathione and Glutaredoxin-Key Players in Cellular Redox Homeostasis and Signaling.

This Special Issue of Antioxidants on Glutathione (GSH) and Glutaredoxin (Grx) was designed to collect review articles and original research studies focused on advancing the current understanding of the roles of the GSH/Grx system in cellular homeostasis and disease processes. The tripeptide glutathione (GSH) is the most abundant non-enzymatic antioxidant/nucleophilic molecule in cells. In addition to various metabolic reactions involving GSH and its oxidized counterpart GSSG, oxidative post-translational modification (PTM) of proteins has been a focal point of keen interest in the redox field over the last few decades. In particular, the S-glutathionylation of proteins (protein-SSG formation), i.e., mixed disulfides between GSH and protein thiols, has been studied extensively. This reversible PTM can act as a regulatory switch to interconvert inactive and active forms of proteins, thereby mediating cell signaling and redox homeostasis. The unique architecture of the GSH molecule enhances its relative abundance in cells and contributes to the glutathionyl specificity of the primary catalytic activity of the glutaredoxin enzymes, which play central roles in redox homeostasis and signaling, and in iron metabolism in eukaryotes and prokaryotes under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. The class-1 glutaredoxins are characterized as cytosolic GSH-dependent oxidoreductases that catalyze reversible protein S-glutathionylation specifically, thereby contributing to the regulation of redox signal transduction and/or the protection of protein thiols from irreversible oxidation. This Special Issue includes nine other articles: three original studies and six review papers. Together, these ten articles support the central theme that GSH/Grx is a unique system for regulating thiol-redox hemostasis and redox-signal transduction, and the dysregulation of the GSH/Grx system is implicated in the onset and progression of various diseases involving oxidative stress. Within this context, it is important to appreciate the complementary functions of the GSH/Grx and thioredoxin systems not only in thiol-disulfide regulation but also in reversible S-nitrosylation. Several potential clinical applications have emerged from a thorough understanding of the GSH/Grx redox regulatory system at the molecular level, and in various cell types in vitro and in vivo, including, among others, the concept that elevating Grx content/activity could serve as an anti-fibrotic intervention; and discovering small molecules that mimic the inhibitory effects of S-glutathionylation on dimer association could identify novel anti-viral agents that impact the key protease activities of the HIV and SARS-CoV-2 viruses. Thus, this Special Issue on Glutathione and Glutaredoxin has focused attention and advanced understanding of an important aspect of redox biology, as well as spawning questions worthy of future study.

Multimodal and dynamic cross-linking of modular thiolated alginate-based bioinks

Engineered extracellular matrix-mimicking hydrogels can facilitate 3D cell culture and fabrication of tissue-like constructs and biologically relevant disease models. Processing of cell-laden hydrogels using additive manufacturing techniques further allows for the development of tissue-mimetic structures with higher spatial complexity. Whereas a wide range of printable hydrogels is available, they tend to lack biological functionality and cell compatibility. Here we show an enzymatically mediated thiol-based cross-linking strategy for the design of modular and cytocompatible hydrogel-based bioinks for 3D bioprinting of dynamic multi-material architectures. Alginate is functionalized with cysteines modified with an enzyme-labile thiol protection group. Deprotection using penicillin G acylase (PGA) generates free thiols on-demand, enabling hydrogel cross-linking using thiol-reactive cross-linkers and intermolecular disulfides while avoiding undesired and uncontrolled thiol oxidation. Remaining free thiols can be used for post-printing hydrogel functionalization and lamination of multilayer structures. Moreover, the addition of PGA to a thermo-reversible hydrogel support bath enables the bioprinting of cell-laden 3D structures with high cell viability and excellent shape fidelity. The possibilities to enzymatically generate free thiols during bioprinting facilitate cross-linking and tuning of bioink properties using cytocompatible chemistries and allow for the printing of complex and dynamic cell-laden structures.

Confirmation of the Disulfide Connectivity and Strategies for Chemical Synthesis of the Four-Disulfide-Bond-Stabilized Aspergillus giganteus Antifungal Protein, AFP.

Emerging fungal infections require new, more efficient antifungal agents and therapies. AFP, a protein from Aspergillus giganteus with four disulfide bonds, is a promising candidate because it selectively inhibits the growth of filamentous fungi. In this work, the reduced form of AFP was prepared using native chemical ligation. The native protein was synthesized via oxidative folding with uniform protection for cysteine thiols. AFP's biological activity depends heavily on the pattern of natural disulfide bonds. Enzymatic digestion and MS analysis provide proof for interlocking disulfide topology (abcdabcd) that was previously assumed. With this knowledge, a semi-orthogonal thiol protection method was designed. By following this strategy, out of a possible 105, only 6 disulfide isomers formed and 1 of them proved to be identical with the native protein. This approach allows the synthesis of analogs for examining structure-activity relationships and, thus, preparing AFP variants with higher antifungal activity.

Effect of Iron–Nitric Oxide Complexes on the Reactivity of Hemoglobin Cysteines

Human erythrocyte hemoglobin (Hb) has two reactive cysteines located on the surface of β-subunits. These cysteines play an important role in the adjustment of Hb functions. It is known that they are involved in the transport of intracellular nitric oxide (NO), redox signaling, and the regulation of dimeric-tetrameric Hb equilibrium. It is shown in this work that the incorporation of Cys-93β as ligands in iron-NO complexes is another way to regulate of SH group reactivity. Such complexes stabilize the SH group as a thiolate anion (R–S–), the reactivity of which is significantly higher than that of the protonated form of thiol (Cys-SH). This is why the thiols included in the complexes show increased activity in relation to electrophilic agents, such as ThioGlo1. Conversely, as part of the complexes, thiols are protected from oxidation by tert-butyl hydroperoxide. The incorporation of SH groups into complexes of iron and NO can be considered a means of thiol protection from irreversible oxidation upon oxidative stress.

Methoxy-Substituted Nitrodibenzofuran-Based Protecting Group with an Improved Two-Photon Action Cross-Section for Thiol Protection in Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis.

Photoremovable caging groups are useful for biological applications because the deprotection process can be initiated by illumination with light without the necessity of adding additional reagents such as acids or bases that can perturb biological activity. In solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), the most common photoremovable group used for thiol protection is the o-nitrobenzyl group and related analogues. In earlier work, we explored the use of the nitrodibenzofuran (NDBF) group for thiol protection and found it to exhibit a faster rate toward UV photolysis relative to simple nitroveratryl-based protecting groups and a useful two-photon cross-section. Here, we describe the synthesis of a new NDBF-based protecting group bearing a methoxy substituent and use it to prepare a protected form of cysteine suitable for SPPS. This reagent was then used to assemble two biologically relevant peptides and characterize their photolysis kinetics in both UV- and two-photon-mediated reactions; a two-photon action cross-section of 0.71-1.4 GM for the new protecting group was particularly notable. Finally, uncaging of these protected peptides by either UV or two-photon activation was used to initiate their subsequent enzymatic processing by the enzyme farnesyltransferase. These experiments highlight the utility of this new protecting group for SPPS and biological experiments.

2-(3-Cyanopropyldimethylsilyl)ethyl as a Polar Sulfur Protecting Group

Organosulfur compounds are ubiquitous in synthetic chemistry, biology and materials chemistry. The reactivity of free sulfhydryls requires their masking in many synthetic strategies. To facilitate the isolation of protected thiols by chromatography, we propose 2-(3-cyanopropyldimethylsilyl)ethyl as a polar protecting group analogue of 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl. The masked thiophenol is obtained in two synthetically complementing ways. Either an existing thiophenol is protected, or the protected thiol group is introduced by a cross-coupling reaction. In both cases the required reagents are readily available from inexpensive starting materials. Thiol protection and thiol introduction both tolerate a large variety of functional groups and substitution patterns, and the protected thiophenols are stable toward a broad range of reaction conditions. The stability of the protected derivatives in cross-coupling reactions and the mild reaction conditions for the release of the protecting group further emphasizes the potential of the methodology.

Mate extract is superior to green tea extract in the protection against chicken meat protein thiol oxidation

Water soluble caffeic acid derivatives in aqueous extracts of mate (Ilex paraguariensis) showed a direct dose-dependent response, protecting protein thiols in a chicken breast meat model system when oxidation was initiated by a lipophilic radical initiator (2,2′-azobis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile; AMVN). In contrast, an inverse dose-dependent response was obtained when initiated by a hydrophilic radical initiator (2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane)dihydrochloride; AAPH), pointing toward a mechanism, where a specific concentration of water-soluble polyphenol yields optimum protection. Optimal concentrations of mate extract for the protection of thiols against radicals initiated in the lipid phase (AMVN) or in the aqueous phase (AAPH) were 0.1–0.5% and 0.01–0.1%, respectively. Green tea (Camellia sinensis) extract showed a pro-oxidative effect involving quinones from oxidation of pyrogallol-type catechins (epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), gallocatechin-3-gallate (GCG), and epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG)) and not the catechol-type catechins (catechin and epicatechin).

Acylation of Phenols, Alcohols, Thiols, Amines and Aldehydes Using Sulfonic Acid Functionalized Hyper-Cross-Linked Poly(2-naphthol) as a Solid Acid Catalyst

The hyper-cross-linked porous poly(2-naphthol) fabricated by the Friedel–Crafts alkylation of 2-naphthol has been functionalized with sulfonic acid to obtain a solid acid catalyst. The catalyst is applied for the protection of phenol, alcohols, thiols, amines and aldehydes with acetic anhydride at room temperature. The catalytic protection using the new solid acid is featured by achieving high yield at neat condition, needing no aqueous work-up and/or chromatographic separation, and showing excellent recycling efficiency, suggesting the potential of this sulfonated porous polymers as a new protection protocol in a wide range of sustainable chemical reactions.

Coenzyme A: a protective thiol in bacterial antioxidant defence.

Coenzyme A (CoA) is an indispensable cofactor in all living organisms. It is synthesized in an evolutionarily conserved pathway by enzymatic conjugation of cysteine, pantothenate (Vitamin B5), and ATP. This unique chemical structure allows CoA to employ its highly reactive thiol group for diverse biochemical reactions. The involvement of the CoA thiol group in the production of metabolically active CoA thioesters (e.g. acetyl CoA, malonyl CoA, and HMG CoA) and activation of carbonyl-containing compounds has been extensively studied since the discovery of this cofactor in the middle of the last century. We are, however, far behind in understanding the role of CoA as a low-molecular-weight thiol in redox regulation. This review summarizes our current knowledge of CoA function in redox regulation and thiol protection under oxidative stress in bacteria. In this context, I discuss recent findings on a novel mode of redox regulation involving covalent modification of cellular proteins by CoA, termed protein CoAlation.

Protein S-Bacillithiolation Functions in Thiol Protection and Redox Regulation of the Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Gap in Staphylococcus aureus Under Hypochlorite Stress.

Aims: Bacillithiol (BSH) is the major low-molecular-weight thiol of the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. In this study, we used OxICAT and Voronoi redox treemaps to quantify hypochlorite-sensitive protein thiols in S. aureus USA300 and analyzed the role of BSH in protein S-bacillithiolation.Results: The OxICAT analyses enabled the quantification of 228 Cys residues in the redox proteome of S. aureus USA300. Hypochlorite stress resulted in >10% increased oxidation of 58 Cys residues (25.4%) in the thiol redox proteome. Among the highly oxidized sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl)-sensitive proteins are five S-bacillithiolated proteins (Gap, AldA, GuaB, RpmJ, and PpaC). The glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P) dehydrogenase Gap represents the most abundant S-bacillithiolated protein contributing 4% to the total Cys proteome. The active site Cys151 of Gap was very sensitive to overoxidation and irreversible inactivation by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or NaOCl in vitro. Treatment with H2O2 or NaOCl in the presence of BSH resulted in reversible Gap inactivation due to S-bacillithiolation, which could be regenerated by the bacilliredoxin Brx (SAUSA300_1321) in vitro. Molecular docking was used to model the S-bacillithiolated Gap active site, suggesting that formation of the BSH mixed disulfide does not require major structural changes.Conclusion and Innovation: Using OxICAT analyses, we identified 58 novel NaOCl-sensitive proteins in the pathogen S. aureus that could play protective roles against the host immune defense and include the glycolytic Gap as major target for S-bacillithiolation. S-bacillithiolation of Gap did not require structural changes, but efficiently functions in redox regulation and protection of the active site against irreversible overoxidation in S. aureus. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 28, 410–430.

The Role of Bacillithiol in Gram-Positive Firmicutes.

Significance: Since the discovery and structural characterization of bacillithiol (BSH), the biochemical functions of BSH-biosynthesis enzymes (BshA/B/C) and BSH-dependent detoxification enzymes (FosB, Bst, GlxA/B) have been explored in Bacillus and Staphylococcus species. It was shown that BSH plays an important role in detoxification of reactive oxygen and electrophilic species, alkylating agents, toxins, and antibiotics.Recent Advances: More recently, new functions of BSH were discovered in metal homeostasis (Zn buffering, Fe-sulfur cluster, and copper homeostasis) and virulence control in Staphylococcus aureus. Unexpectedly, strains of the S. aureus NCTC8325 lineage were identified as natural BSH-deficient mutants. Modern mass spectrometry-based approaches have revealed the global reach of protein S-bacillithiolation in Firmicutes as an important regulatory redox modification under hypochlorite stress. S-bacillithiolation of OhrR, MetE, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (Gap) functions, analogous to S-glutathionylation, as both a redox-regulatory device and in thiol protection under oxidative stress.Critical Issues: Although the functions of the bacilliredoxin (Brx) pathways in the reversal of S-bacillithiolations have been recently addressed, significantly more work is needed to establish the complete Brx reduction pathway, including the major enzyme(s), for reduction of oxidized BSH (BSSB) and the targets of Brx action in vivo.Future Directions: Despite the large number of identified S-bacillithiolated proteins, the physiological relevance of this redox modification was shown for only selected targets and should be a subject of future studies. In addition, many more BSH-dependent detoxification enzymes are evident from previous studies, although their roles and biochemical mechanisms require further study. This review of BSH research also pin-points these missing gaps for future research. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 28, 445–462.

Effects of calcium and EGTA on thiol homeostasis and defense-related enzymes in Cd-exposed chickpea roots

Exposure of chickpea seeds (Cicer arietinum L.) to cadmium stress for 6 days resulted in growth reduction and oxidative stress installation as exemplified by a strong accumulation of H2O2 and a disruption of enzymatic and non-enzymatic defense systems. The enrichment of the seed germinating medium with calcium and ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid (EGTA) relieved the detrimental effect of Cd on root growth. This protective effect would be the result of (1) protein thiol protection, as evidenced by thioredoxin system activation, and of (2) the glutathione disulfide content decrease. The absence of corrective effect of effectors on glutathione redox state should be associated with the concomitant decrease in regeneration and consumption processes of reduced forms of glutathione, namely by glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase activities, respectively. Calcium and EGTA application led to oxidative stress alleviation as evidenced by H2O2 content decrease and the restoration of catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activities at a level similar to control roots. Moreover, the analysis of the transcriptional system relating to the up-cited enzymes revealed a decreased gene expression subsequent to the enrichment of germination medium with the effectors. The present research provided deeper insights into the mechanisms induced by Ca and EGTA to protect plant cell against Cd-induced oxidative injury.

Frontispiece: Protection of Endogenous Thiols against Methylmercury with Benzimidazole‐Based Thione by Unusual Ligand‐Exchange Reactions

Frontispiece: Protection of Endogenous Thiols against Methylmercury with Benzimidazole‐Based Thione by Unusual Ligand‐Exchange Reactions

Thiol Specific and Tracelessly Removable Bioconjugation via Michael Addition to 5-Methylene Pyrrolones.

5-Methylene pyrrolones (5MPs) are highly thiol-specific and tracelessly removable bioconjugation tools. 5MPs are readily prepared from primary amines in one step. 5MPs exhibit significantly improved stability under physiologically relevant conditions and cysteine specificity compared to commonly used analogues, maleimides. Michael addition of thiol to 5MPs occurs rapidly, cleanly, and does not generate a stereocenter. The conjugates efficiently release thiols via retro-Michael reaction in alkaline buffer (pH 9.5) or via thiol exchange at pH 7.5. This unique property makes 5MPs valuable for the controlled release of conjugated cargo and temporary thiol protection. The utilization of 5MPs for protein immobilization and pull-down of active complexes is illustrated using E. coli. acetohydroxyacid synthase isozyme I.

Protection of Endogenous Thiols against Methylmercury with Benzimidazole-Based Thione by Unusual Ligand-Exchange Reactions.

Organomercurials, such as methylmercury (MeHg+ ), are among the most toxic materials to humans. Apart from inhibiting proteins, MeHg+ exerts its cytotoxicity through strong binding with endogenous thiols cysteine (CysH) and glutathione (GSH) to form MeHgCys and MeHgSG complexes. Herein, it is reported that the N,N-disubstituted benzimidazole-based thione 1 containing a N-CH2 CH2 OH substituent converts MeHgCys and MeHgSG complexes to less toxic water-soluble HgS nanoparticles (NPs) and releases the corresponding free thiols CysH and GSH from MeHgCys and MeHgSG, respectively, in solution by unusual ligand-exchange reactions in phosphate buffer at 37 °C. However, the corresponding N-substituted benzimidazole-based thione 7 and N,N-disubstituted imidazole-based thione 3, in spite of containing a N-CH2 CH2 OH substituent, failed to convert MeHgX (X=Cys, and SG) to HgS NPs under identical reaction conditions, which suggests that not only the N-CH2 CH2 OH moiety but the benzimidazole ring and N,N-disubstitution in 1, which leads to the generation of a partial positive charge at the C2 atom of the benzimidazole ring in 1:1 MeHg-conjugated complex of 1, are crucial to convert MeHgX to HgS NPs under physiologically relevant conditions.

The 3-nitro-2-pyridinesulfenyl group: synthesis and applications to peptide chemistry.

The 3-nitro-2-pyridinesulfenyl chloride, commonly abbreviated as Npys-Cl, was among the first stable heterocyclic sulfenyl halides to be isolated. After its discovery, the Npys group was widely used as a protecting group for the amines, alcohols and thiols. Herein, we have reviewed some of the aspects of the Npys-Cl moiety, and its most promising recent uses are summarized, from the stability of the Npys protection of amines, hydroxyls and thiols and removal conditions for potential applications in peptide synthesis, to one of its most successful applications for the formation of mixed disulfides. Indeed, Npys protects thiols and acts as an activator for disulfide bond formation, thereby facilitating thiol/disulfide exchange to the corresponding disulfides. The selectivity and mild reaction conditions opened up a wide range of applications in chemical biology as well. Finally, some of the most recent developments regarding the synthesis and applications of solid-phase Npys derivatives are discussed. Copyright © 2017 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Nitrodibenzofuran: A One- and Two-Photon Sensitive Protecting Group That Is Superior to Brominated Hydroxycoumarin for Thiol Caging in Peptides.

Photoremovable protecting groups are important for a wide range of applications in peptide chemistry. Using Fmoc-Cys(Bhc-MOM)-OH, peptides containing a Bhc-protected cysteine residue can be easily prepared. However, such protected thiols can undergo isomerization to a dead-end product (a 4-methylcoumarin-3-yl thioether) upon photolysis. To circumvent that photoisomerization problem, we explored the use of nitrodibenzofuran (NDBF) for thiol protection by preparing cysteine-containing peptides where the thiol is masked with an NDBF group. This was accomplished by synthesizing Fmoc-Cys(NDBF)-OH and incorporating that residue into peptides by standard solid-phase peptide synthesis procedures. Irradiation with 365 nm light or two-photon excitation with 800 nm light resulted in efficient deprotection. To probe biological utility, thiol group uncaging was carried out using a peptide derived from the protein K-Ras4B to yield a sequence that is a known substrate for protein farnesyltransferase; irradiation of the NDBF-caged peptide in the presence of the enzyme resulted in the formation of the farnesylated product. Additionally, incubation of human ovarian carcinoma (SKOV3) cells with an NDBF-caged version of a farnesylated peptide followed by UV irradiation resulted in migration of the peptide from the cytosol/Golgi to the plasma membrane due to enzymatic palmitoylation. Overall, the high cleavage efficiency devoid of side reactions and significant two-photon cross-section of NDBF render it superior to Bhc for thiol group caging. This protecting group should be useful for a plethora of applications ranging from the development of light-activatable cysteine-containing peptides to the development of light-sensitive biomaterials.

Glutathione – From antioxidant to post-translational modifier

Helmut Sies is one of the leading investigators in the multiple roles of glutathione (GSH) in biology. He has pioneered work on the role of GSH in preventing oxidative stress, in transport of GSSG, in protection of protein thiols from irreversible oxidation through mixed disulfide formation and demonstrated a role of protein glutathionylation in response to hormonal stimulation well before redox signaling became a major subject of investigation. Here I will describe the roles of GSH in several aspects of biology, the work of my laboratory in those findings, and how Helmut Sies work influenced our studies.

Redox regulation by reversible protein S-thiolation in bacteria

Low molecular weight (LMW) thiols function as thiol-redox buffers to maintain the reduced state of the cytoplasm. The best studied LMW thiol is the tripeptide glutathione (GSH) present in all eukaryotes and Gram-negative bacteria. Firmicutes bacteria, including Bacillus and Staphylococcus species utilize the redox buffer bacillithiol (BSH) while Actinomycetes produce the related redox buffer mycothiol (MSH). In eukaryotes, proteins are post-translationally modified to S-glutathionylated proteins under conditions of oxidative stress. S-glutathionylation has emerged as major redox-regulatory mechanism in eukaryotes and protects active site cysteine residues against overoxidation to sulfonic acids. First studies identified S-glutathionylated proteins also in Gram-negative bacteria. Advances in mass spectrometry have further facilitated the identification of protein S-bacillithiolations and S-mycothiolation as BSH- and MSH-mixed protein disulfides formed under oxidative stress in Firmicutes and Actinomycetes, respectively. In Bacillus subtilis, protein S-bacillithiolation controls the activities of the redox-sensing OhrR repressor and the methionine synthase MetE in vivo. In Corynebacterium glutamicum, protein S-mycothiolation was more widespread and affected the functions of the maltodextrin phosphorylase MalP and thiol peroxidase (Tpx). In addition, novel bacilliredoxins (Brx) and mycoredoxins (Mrx1) were shown to function similar to glutaredoxins in the reduction of BSH- and MSH-mixed protein disulfides. Here we review the current knowledge about the functions of the bacterial thiol-redox buffers glutathione, bacillithiol, and mycothiol and the role of protein S-thiolation in redox regulation and thiol protection in model and pathogenic bacteria.

An integrated metabolomics workflow for the quantification of sulfur pathway intermediates employing thiol protection with N-ethyl maleimide and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

The sulfur metabolic pathway is involved in basic modes of cellular metabolism, including methylation, cell division, respiratory oscillations and stress responses. Hence, the implicated high reactivity of the sulfur pathway intermediates entails challenges for their quantitative analysis. In particular the unwanted oxidation of the thiol group-containing metabolites glutathione, cysteine, homocysteine, γ-glutamyl cysteine and cysteinyl glycine must be prevented in order to obtain accurate snapshots of this important part of cellular metabolism. Suitable analytical methodologies are therefore needed to support studies of drug metabolism and metabolic engineering. In this work, a novel sample preparation strategy targeting thiolic metabolites was established by implementing thiol group protection with N-ethyl maleimide using a cold methanol metabolite extraction procedure. It was shown that N-ethyl maleimide derivatization is compatible with typical metabolite extraction procedures and also allowed for the stabilization of the instable thiolic metabolites in a fully (13)C-labeled yeast cell extract. The stable isotope labeled metabolite analogs could be used for internal standardization to achieve metabolite quantification with high precision. Furthermore, a dedicated hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for the separation of sulfur metabolic pathway intermediates using a sub-2 μm particle size stationary phase was developed. Coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, the presented methodology proved to be robust, and sensitive (absolute detection limits in the low femtomole range), and allowed for the quantification of cysteine, cysteinyl glycine, cystathionine, cystine, glutamic acid, glutamyl cysteine, reduced glutathione, glutathione disulfide, homocysteine, methionine, S-adenosyl homocysteine and serine in a human ovarian carcinoma cell model.