Component

Human glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit / GCLC

Human glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit / GCLC. Species, exposure and limitations are retained in each linked claim.

6 recorded relationships. Experimental role, claim status and evidence remain attached to each record.

Read recorded mechanisms Open recursive mind map

How nutrients influence it

Every nutrient with a recorded effect on this component, credited to the nutrient that acted rather than the chapter that recorded it. Open a nutrient to see the findings and the conditions they were measured under.

How nutrients reach it in more than one step

Chains of two or more recorded steps that end here, grouped by the nutrient they start from. Each step is a separate finding, so a chain is a route a mechanism could take, not proof that it does.

Tracing routes…

What it does

Every recorded relationship this component is part of, grouped by its role. Plain wording comes first; the technical statement follows.

Recorded relationships

What it acts on

  1. Glutamate-cysteine ligase joins glutamate and cysteine to form gamma-glutamylcysteine in the first glutathione-synthesis step.

    Human glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit / GCLC → Gamma-glutamylcysteine source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_span
    {"source_cache": "artifacts/sulforaphane-research/30581542.fulltext.txt", "locator": "Primary full-text span; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "77cf6674cf9b9bc140a228588a53c937966fd3a67397c1c4970221c5cc58a0b1", "start_char": 762, "end_char": 1092, "text_sha256": "927fa13b085700c20b578ecabc7c8c17a66ea4600b90809e3061d12bcaea3849"}
    experimental_model
    Human enzyme mutagenesis, kinetics and molecular dynamics
    exposure
    S-loop variants; established biosynthetic reactions described in the introduction
    limitations
    Reaction descriptions are background chemistry in a primary enzyme paper, not evidence that sulforaphane corrects inherited GSS deficiency.
    nutrient_topic
    Sulforaphane research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. · Sulforaphane / SFN, stereochemistry specified per study
    organism
    Human GSS
    plain_language
    The induced machinery still needs its amino-acid building blocks.
    primary_references
    [sulforaphane-p30581542] Genetic Mutations in the S-loop of Human Glutathione Synthetase: Links Between Substrate Binding, Active Site Structure and Allostery. (2019). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30581542/ DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2018.11.008
    tissue_or_cell_type
    Glutathione synthesis and substrate binding

    Sulforaphane: formation, electrophile sensing and nutrient connections (2026-09-17) · lines 840–851

    AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Human enzyme mutagenesis, kinetics and molecular dynamics · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ### sulforaphane-gcl-first-step Glutamate-cysteine ligase joins glutamate and cysteine to form gamma-glutamylcysteine in the first glutathione-synthesis step. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Sulforaphane research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. plain_language: The induced machinery still needs its amino-acid building blocks. organism: Human GSS tissue_or_cell_type: Glutathione synthesis and substrate binding experimental_model: Human enzyme mutagenesis, kinetics and molecular dynamics limitations: Reaction descriptions are background chemistry in a primary enzyme paper, not evidence that sulforaphane corrects inherited GSS deficiency. exposure: S-loop variants; established biosynthetic reactions described in the introduction evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/sulforaphane-research/30581542.fulltext.txt", "locator": "Primary full-text span; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "77cf6674cf9b9bc140a228588a53c937966fd3a67397c1c4970221c5cc58a0b1", "start_char": 762, "end_char": 1092, "text_sha256": "927fa13b085700c20b578ecabc7c8c17a66ea4600b90809e3061d12bcaea3849"} [sulforaphane-p30581542] Genetic Mutations in the S-loop of Human Glutathione Synthetase: Links Between Substrate Binding, Active Site Structure and Allostery. (2019). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30581542/ DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2018.11.008
    Complete structured claim and evidence

What acts on it

  1. Boric acid increased GCLC mRNA at measured time points within 1–4 hours in human DU-145 cells.

    Boric acid / orthoboric acid / B(OH)3 → Human glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit / GCLC source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_span
    {"source_cache": "artifacts/boron-research/30196486.abstract.txt", "locator": "Exact primary indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "e220df5fb0f9b8653035f7a144259ce66778467a7a72acbf7cd7d113f8b6030a", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 2006, "text_sha256": "e220df5fb0f9b8653035f7a144259ce66778467a7a72acbf7cd7d113f8b6030a"}
    experimental_model
    PERK knockout comparison, immunofluorescence and quantitative PCR
    exposure
    10 µM boric acid; 1–6 hour comparisons
    limitations
    Knockout dependence in mouse fibroblasts is separate from human tumor-cell transcription. Increased GCLC mRNA is not a measured increase in glutathione synthesis or clinical antioxidant benefit.
    nutrient_topic
    Boron research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. · Boron
    organism
    Human
    plain_language
    The cells increased instructions for GCLC; this does not measure the protein’s activity or a health benefit.
    primary_references
    [boron-p30196486] Boric Acid Activation of eIF2α and Nrf2 Is PERK Dependent: a Mechanism that Explains How Boron Prevents DNA Damage and Enhances Antioxidant Status. (2019). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30196486/ DOI: 10.1007/s12011-018-1498-4
    tissue_or_cell_type
    DU-145 prostate cancer cell culture

    Boron: chemistry, nutrient interactions, low-intake studies and mechanistic uncertainties (2026-09-17) · lines 560–571

    AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · PERK knockout comparison, immunofluorescence and quantitative PCR · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ### boron-gclc-transcription Boric acid increased GCLC mRNA at measured time points within 1–4 hours in human DU-145 cells. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Boron research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. plain_language: The cells increased instructions for GCLC; this does not measure the protein’s activity or a health benefit. organism: Human tissue_or_cell_type: DU-145 prostate cancer cell culture experimental_model: PERK knockout comparison, immunofluorescence and quantitative PCR limitations: Knockout dependence in mouse fibroblasts is separate from human tumor-cell transcription. Increased GCLC mRNA is not a measured increase in glutathione synthesis or clinical antioxidant benefit. exposure: 10 µM boric acid; 1–6 hour comparisons evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/boron-research/30196486.abstract.txt", "locator": "Exact primary indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "e220df5fb0f9b8653035f7a144259ce66778467a7a72acbf7cd7d113f8b6030a", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 2006, "text_sha256": "e220df5fb0f9b8653035f7a144259ce66778467a7a72acbf7cd7d113f8b6030a"} [boron-p30196486] Boric Acid Activation of eIF2α and Nrf2 Is PERK Dependent: a Mechanism that Explains How Boron Prevents DNA Damage and Enhances Antioxidant Status. (2019). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30196486/ DOI: 10.1007/s12011-018-1498-4
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  2. Zeaxanthin increased GCLC mRNA in ARPE-19 cells.

    Dietary (3R,3-prime-R)-zeaxanthin → Human glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit / GCLC source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_span
    {"source_cache": "artifacts/zeaxanthin-research/24810054.fulltext.txt", "locator": "Primary full-text span; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "0f185c805dd5d825445cb40e547b794fbc595388aff6e2d29ac81c2eab8b8348", "start_char": 5813, "end_char": 15716, "text_sha256": "89e6abf1967c10b359cb62d935d5b839cf53acf42576d9db3d463bff9f474e38"}
    experimental_model
    Cell challenge with siRNA and pathway inhibitors
    exposure
    Zeaxanthin commonly 10 micromolar for 24 h; 300 micromolar t-BHP challenge for 6 h; study-specific inhibitors
    limitations
    Pharmacological cell exposures are not dietary concentrations. PI3K/Akt inhibitor evidence is not direct zeaxanthin binding to a kinase. Liposome GSTP1 protection and this cellular GSH-dependent response are different mechanisms.
    nutrient_topic
    Zeaxanthin research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. · Dietary (3R,3-prime-R)-zeaxanthin
    organism
    Human ARPE-19 cell line
    plain_language
    It increased instructions for the catalytic glutathione-synthesis subunit.
    primary_references
    [zeaxanthin-p24810054] Zeaxanthin induces Nrf2-mediated phase II enzymes in protection of cell death. (2014). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24810054/ DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2014.190
    tissue_or_cell_type
    Retinal pigment epithelial model

    Zeaxanthin: metabolism, signaling and nutrient connections (2026-09-17) · lines 379–390

    AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Cell challenge with siRNA and pathway inhibitors · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ### zeaxanthin-gclc-expression Zeaxanthin increased GCLC mRNA in ARPE-19 cells. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Zeaxanthin research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. plain_language: It increased instructions for the catalytic glutathione-synthesis subunit. organism: Human ARPE-19 cell line tissue_or_cell_type: Retinal pigment epithelial model experimental_model: Cell challenge with siRNA and pathway inhibitors limitations: Pharmacological cell exposures are not dietary concentrations. PI3K/Akt inhibitor evidence is not direct zeaxanthin binding to a kinase. Liposome GSTP1 protection and this cellular GSH-dependent response are different mechanisms. exposure: Zeaxanthin commonly 10 micromolar for 24 h; 300 micromolar t-BHP challenge for 6 h; study-specific inhibitors evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/zeaxanthin-research/24810054.fulltext.txt", "locator": "Primary full-text span; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "0f185c805dd5d825445cb40e547b794fbc595388aff6e2d29ac81c2eab8b8348", "start_char": 5813, "end_char": 15716, "text_sha256": "89e6abf1967c10b359cb62d935d5b839cf53acf42576d9db3d463bff9f474e38"} [zeaxanthin-p24810054] Zeaxanthin induces Nrf2-mediated phase II enzymes in protection of cell death. (2014). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24810054/ DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2014.190
    Complete structured claim and evidence

Where it participates (unsigned role)

  1. The human GCL holoenzyme was more active and less sensitive to glutathione inhibition than its catalytic subunit alone.

    Human glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit / GCLM → Human glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic activity source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_span
    {"source_cache": "artifacts/sulforaphane-research/9637733.abstract.txt", "locator": "Primary indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "4e7a66b2c4a636f70f2a5954ff304e54d4ef0f00055e53bc32ba8ceb9772fbe2", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1258, "text_sha256": "4e7a66b2c4a636f70f2a5954ff304e54d4ef0f00055e53bc32ba8ceb9772fbe2"}
    experimental_model
    Purified recombinant subunit/holoenzyme kinetics
    exposure
    Substrate comparisons and glutathione inhibition
    limitations
    Baseline enzymology, not a sulforaphane or nutrient-repletion trial.
    nutrient_topic
    Sulforaphane research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. · Sulforaphane / SFN, stereochemistry specified per study
    organism
    Human GCLC and GCLM expressed in insect cells
    plain_language
    The modifier subunit changes how the glutathione-building enzyme works.
    primary_references
    [sulforaphane-p9637733] Expression and characterization of human glutamate-cysteine ligase. (1998). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9637733/ DOI: 10.1006/abbi.1998.0676
    tissue_or_cell_type
    Glutathione synthesis first-step enzyme

    Sulforaphane: formation, electrophile sensing and nutrient connections (2026-09-17) · lines 814–825

    AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Purified recombinant subunit/holoenzyme kinetics · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ### sulforaphane-gclm-activity The human GCL holoenzyme was more active and less sensitive to glutathione inhibition than its catalytic subunit alone. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Sulforaphane research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. plain_language: The modifier subunit changes how the glutathione-building enzyme works. organism: Human GCLC and GCLM expressed in insect cells tissue_or_cell_type: Glutathione synthesis first-step enzyme experimental_model: Purified recombinant subunit/holoenzyme kinetics limitations: Baseline enzymology, not a sulforaphane or nutrient-repletion trial. exposure: Substrate comparisons and glutathione inhibition evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/sulforaphane-research/9637733.abstract.txt", "locator": "Primary indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "4e7a66b2c4a636f70f2a5954ff304e54d4ef0f00055e53bc32ba8ceb9772fbe2", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1258, "text_sha256": "4e7a66b2c4a636f70f2a5954ff304e54d4ef0f00055e53bc32ba8ceb9772fbe2"} [sulforaphane-p9637733] Expression and characterization of human glutamate-cysteine ligase. (1998). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9637733/ DOI: 10.1006/abbi.1998.0676
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  2. Glutathione inhibited both human GCLC and GCL holoenzyme, with greater sensitivity of GCLC alone.

    GSH → Human glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic activity source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_span
    {"source_cache": "artifacts/sulforaphane-research/9637733.abstract.txt", "locator": "Primary indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "4e7a66b2c4a636f70f2a5954ff304e54d4ef0f00055e53bc32ba8ceb9772fbe2", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1258, "text_sha256": "4e7a66b2c4a636f70f2a5954ff304e54d4ef0f00055e53bc32ba8ceb9772fbe2"}
    experimental_model
    Purified recombinant subunit/holoenzyme kinetics
    exposure
    Substrate comparisons and glutathione inhibition
    limitations
    Baseline enzymology, not a sulforaphane or nutrient-repletion trial.
    nutrient_topic
    Sulforaphane research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. · Sulforaphane / SFN, stereochemistry specified per study
    organism
    Human GCLC and GCLM expressed in insect cells
    plain_language
    The product feeds back on the machinery that makes more of it.
    primary_references
    [sulforaphane-p9637733] Expression and characterization of human glutamate-cysteine ligase. (1998). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9637733/ DOI: 10.1006/abbi.1998.0676
    tissue_or_cell_type
    Glutathione synthesis first-step enzyme

    Sulforaphane: formation, electrophile sensing and nutrient connections (2026-09-17) · lines 827–838

    AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Purified recombinant subunit/holoenzyme kinetics · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ### sulforaphane-gsh-feedback Glutathione inhibited both human GCLC and GCL holoenzyme, with greater sensitivity of GCLC alone. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Sulforaphane research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. plain_language: The product feeds back on the machinery that makes more of it. organism: Human GCLC and GCLM expressed in insect cells tissue_or_cell_type: Glutathione synthesis first-step enzyme experimental_model: Purified recombinant subunit/holoenzyme kinetics limitations: Baseline enzymology, not a sulforaphane or nutrient-repletion trial. exposure: Substrate comparisons and glutathione inhibition evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/sulforaphane-research/9637733.abstract.txt", "locator": "Primary indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "4e7a66b2c4a636f70f2a5954ff304e54d4ef0f00055e53bc32ba8ceb9772fbe2", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1258, "text_sha256": "4e7a66b2c4a636f70f2a5954ff304e54d4ef0f00055e53bc32ba8ceb9772fbe2"} [sulforaphane-p9637733] Expression and characterization of human glutamate-cysteine ligase. (1998). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9637733/ DOI: 10.1006/abbi.1998.0676
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  3. Apo-10-prime-lycopenoic acid induced glutamate-cysteine ligases in the bronchial-cell experiment.

    Apo-10-prime-lycopenoic acid → Human glutamate-cysteine ligase, study-resolved complex source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_span
    {"source_cache": "artifacts/lycopene-research/18566994.abstract.txt", "locator": "Primary indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "e34a21bb159c3e48372fd5cb104bfa50572903a5ef168b10100976a718b7b534", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1416, "text_sha256": "e34a21bb159c3e48372fd5cb104bfa50572903a5ef168b10100976a718b7b534"}
    experimental_model
    Metabolite exposure and gene/protein/redox measurements
    exposure
    Time- and dose-dependent apo-10-prime-lycopenoid exposure
    limitations
    Cell-culture metabolite results do not prove oral lycopene reaches equivalent tissue concentrations or prevents human cancer.
    nutrient_topic
    Lycopene research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. · Lycopene
    organism
    Human BEAS-2B bronchial epithelial cells
    plain_language
    The response included machinery used to make glutathione.
    primary_references
    [lycopene-p18566994] Enzymatic metabolites of lycopene induce Nrf2-mediated expression of phase II detoxifying/antioxidant enzymes in human bronchial epithelial cells. (2008). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18566994/ DOI: 10.1002/ijc.23696
    tissue_or_cell_type
    Nucleus, antioxidant enzymes and intracellular glutathione

    Lycopene: absorption, metabolism, nutrient connections and human outcomes (2026-09-17) · lines 533–544

    AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Metabolite exposure and gene/protein/redox measurements · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ### lycopene-apo-gcl Apo-10-prime-lycopenoic acid induced glutamate-cysteine ligases in the bronchial-cell experiment. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Lycopene research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. plain_language: The response included machinery used to make glutathione. organism: Human BEAS-2B bronchial epithelial cells tissue_or_cell_type: Nucleus, antioxidant enzymes and intracellular glutathione experimental_model: Metabolite exposure and gene/protein/redox measurements limitations: Cell-culture metabolite results do not prove oral lycopene reaches equivalent tissue concentrations or prevents human cancer. exposure: Time- and dose-dependent apo-10-prime-lycopenoid exposure evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/lycopene-research/18566994.abstract.txt", "locator": "Primary indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "e34a21bb159c3e48372fd5cb104bfa50572903a5ef168b10100976a718b7b534", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1416, "text_sha256": "e34a21bb159c3e48372fd5cb104bfa50572903a5ef168b10100976a718b7b534"} [lycopene-p18566994] Enzymatic metabolites of lycopene induce Nrf2-mediated expression of phase II detoxifying/antioxidant enzymes in human bronchial epithelial cells. (2008). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18566994/ DOI: 10.1002/ijc.23696
    Complete structured claim and evidence

In the sources

Preserved passages that mention this component, quoted exactly. Open one to read it in context.

    This is a research prototype built from draft material. It is not medical advice, and its statements still await verification against the original studies.

    Evidence, AI assistance and curation standards