D, L-Buthionine Sulfoximine

D, L-Buthionine sulfoximine is an irreversible inhibitor of γ-glutamylcysteine ligase (GCL) . GCL is the first enzyme of the cellular glutathione biosynthetic pathway. Dysregulation of glutathione homeostasis is involved in many diseases including cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders and HIV/AIDS.1 Most disease states involve decreased glutathione synthesis, however, in cancer, it is increased supporting cellular proliferation and protecting cancer cells. Pharmacological inhibition of GCL has been examined as a potential cancer treatment.2-4