gammaglutamyyliryhmän

Gammaglutamyyliryhmä, also known as a gamma-glutamyl group, is a chemical moiety consisting of a glutamic acid molecule attached at its gamma-carboxyl group. This specific linkage is crucial in the structure and function of various biological molecules. In biochemistry, gamma-glutamyl groups are prominently featured in the gamma-glutamyl cycle, a metabolic pathway involved in amino acid transport and the synthesis of glutathione. Glutathione, a tripeptide, is a vital antioxidant and plays a role in detoxification and immune response. The gamma-glutamyl linkage in glutathione is what distinguishes it from other peptides. Enzymes like gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, which cleaves the gamma-glutamyl bond, are important diagnostic markers in medicine, particularly for liver function. The presence and removal of gamma-glutamyl groups are key to the biological activity and metabolic fate of these compounds.