Interactions between biosynthesis, compartmentation and transport in the control of glutathione homeostasis and signalling

Glutathione has numerous roles in cellular defence and in sulphur metabolism. These functions depend or impact on the concentration and/or redox state of leaf glutathione pools. Effective function requires homeostatic control of concentration and redox state, with departures from homeostasis acting as signals that trigger adaptive responses. Intercellular and intracellular glutathione pools are linked by transport across membranes. It is shown that glutathione can cross the chloroplast envelope at rates similar to the speed of biosynthesis. Control of glutathione concentration and redox state is therefore due to a complex interplay between biosynthesis, utilization, degradation, oxidation/reduction, and transport. All these factors must be considered in order to evaluate the significance of glutathione as a signalling component during development, abiotic stress, or pathogen attack.