Qualitative LC-MS/MS Identification, Formation and Stability of Adducts and Crosslinks Arising from the Reactions of Glutathione with the Model Enal Systems

Glutathione (GSH), due to the ability to capture the reactive electrophiles of exoand endogenous origins, is expected to prevent cross-linking induced by these compounds. However, it may instead become cross-linked itself. We subjected glutathione to reactions with model α,β-unsaturated carbonyl systems resulting from the interactions of adenosine with bifunctional aldehyde products of lipid peroxidation, and identified a range of adducts and cross-linked products. We found that the S-conjugated adducts, initially formed in the typical GSH Michael addition to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl system, unexpectedly undergo gradual degradation giving rise to the final N-conjugated products, in which formation of peptide amino group is involved instead of sulfhydryl functionality. This finding shows that the role of the GSH amino group in the non-enzymatic detoxification is underestimated, and that reactions between cellular α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds and GSH may be more complex than are presently perceived.