About this Research Topic
Low-molecular-weight biothiols such as glutathione (GSH), cysteine (Cys), and homocysteine (Hcy) play important roles in biological processes including protein synthesis, signal transduction, regulation of enzymatic activity of transcription, xenobiotic metabolism, and immune regulation. They also act as the main nonprotein antioxidant due to the exchange between biothiols and their oxidized disulfides form (such as oxidized glutathione and cystine, abbreviated GSSG and CyssyC ). GSH/GSSG pool is abundantly present in human cells with a total concentration in the millimolar range (e.g., approximately 10 mM in the liver) while Cys is the major thiol in human plasma and maintains interorgan glutathione balance and protein synthesis. Both the total amount of biothiols and thiol/disulfide ratio are wellness indicators of oxidative balance and the disturbance is associated with many diseases such as Parkinson's disease, liver damage, Alzheimer’s disease, neural defects, cardiovascular disease, slowed growth, immune diseases, skin diseases, etc.
Numerous analytical methods have been developed to detect biothiols and disulfides. The tietze enzyme recycling assay was first reported for the total glutathione (GSH and GSSG) analysis in 1969. Other methods have also emerged, including high-performance liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, near-infrared, fluorescence, colorimetric and methods. However, some of these methods have revealed the problems of complicated sample processing, time-consuming processes, and requirements for sophisticated equipment and trained technicians. There is an urgent need to develop simple and efficient methods, especially for intracellular or in vivo analysis of GSH in the brain, which will be helpful to better understand the complex biochemistry of this molecule in health and disease because GSH depletion in the brain is found in patients with neurodegenerative diseases and the GSH level varies by brain region. In addition, it is urgently needed to develop methods and strategies to achieve simultaneous detection of single biothiol and its disulfide or multiple thiols analysis.
We welcome contributions to this Research Topic covering novel advances in sensing and biosensing for biothiols and disulfides. Themes of interest include, but are not limited to:
1. Electrochemical, fluorescent, colorimetric, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, and near-infrared sensing of biothiols and disulfides based on novel materials and strategies.
2. Novel biosensors for highly selective analysis of biothiols and disulfides.
3. Simultaneous detection of single biothiol and its disulfide or multiple biothiols analysis.
4. Electrochemical sensing of biothiols and disulfides to improve chemical fouling and biofouling resistance.
5. Intracellular or in vivo analysis of GSH.
6. Methods and strategies for selective discrimination of various biothiols.
Numerous analytical methods have been developed to detect biothiols and disulfides. The tietze enzyme recycling assay was first reported for the total glutathione (GSH and GSSG) analysis in 1969. Other methods have also emerged, including high-performance liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, near-infrared, fluorescence, colorimetric and methods. However, some of these methods have revealed the problems of complicated sample processing, time-consuming processes, and requirements for sophisticated equipment and trained technicians. There is an urgent need to develop simple and efficient methods, especially for intracellular or in vivo analysis of GSH in the brain, which will be helpful to better understand the complex biochemistry of this molecule in health and disease because GSH depletion in the brain is found in patients with neurodegenerative diseases and the GSH level varies by brain region. In addition, it is urgently needed to develop methods and strategies to achieve simultaneous detection of single biothiol and its disulfide or multiple thiols analysis.
We welcome contributions to this Research Topic covering novel advances in sensing and biosensing for biothiols and disulfides. Themes of interest include, but are not limited to:
1. Electrochemical, fluorescent, colorimetric, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, and near-infrared sensing of biothiols and disulfides based on novel materials and strategies.
2. Novel biosensors for highly selective analysis of biothiols and disulfides.
3. Simultaneous detection of single biothiol and its disulfide or multiple biothiols analysis.
4. Electrochemical sensing of biothiols and disulfides to improve chemical fouling and biofouling resistance.
5. Intracellular or in vivo analysis of GSH.
6. Methods and strategies for selective discrimination of various biothiols.
Keywords: sensors, glutathione, cysteine, homocysteine, cystine
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