Final answer:
Glutathione-S-transferase aids in detoxification by conjugating toxins with glutathione, facilitating their removal, while N-acetylcysteine serves as a precursor to glutathione, aiding in the antioxidant defense and acting as a hepatoprotective agent.
Step-by-step explanation:
Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in detoxification processes. It does this by conjugating reduced glutathione to a wide range of exogenous and endogenous compounds, aiding in their solubilization and excretion. This enzyme is particularly important in the liver, where it helps to break down and remove toxins. An example of a specific role mentioned is in reducing the disulphide linkages of insulin with reduced glutathione, which facilitates the separation of insulin chains before cleavage by the insulinase enzyme.
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a derivative of the amino acid cysteine and serves as a precursor to glutathione, thereby supporting the antioxidant defence system of the body. NAC has mucolytic properties and acts as a hepatoprotective agent, used in cases of acetaminophen (paracetamol) overdose to replenish hepatic glutathione reserves. In the broader family of N-acetyltransferases, related enzymes contribute to acetylation reactions critical for various biological processes, including regulation of gene expression and protein function.