Glutathione hydrolase 1 proenzyme (GGT1)

Cleaves the gamma-glutamyl bond of extracellular glutathione (gamma-Glu-Cys-Gly), glutathione conjugates, and other gamma-glutamyl compounds. The metabolism of glutathione releases free glutamate and the dipeptide cysteinyl-glycine, which is hydrolyzed to cysteine and glycine by dipeptidases.

In the presence of high concentrations of dipeptides and a few amino acids, can also catalyze a transpeptidation reaction, transferring the gamma-glutamyl moiety to an acceptor amino acid to form a new gamma-glutamyl compound. Initiates extracellular glutathione (GSH) breakdown, provides cells with a local cysteine source and contributes to maintain intracellular GSH level.