In 2021, researchers from the National University of Singapore published an article on Redox Biology entitled "New roles for glutathione: Modulators of bacterial virosity and pathogenesis". Low molecular weight mercaptans contain sulfhydryl groups, which are important for maintaining the antioxidant defense of cells. In addition to the traditional role of low molecular weight mercaptan as redox regulator in bacteria, glutathione (L-glutathione reduced/GSH/L- γ- Glutamyl-L-cysteine glycine has been reported to affect toxicity and bacterial pathogenesis. The role of GSH in virulence is diverse, including activating the expression of virulence genes and promoting the formation of optimal biofilm. Glutathione can also be converted into hydrogen sulfide (H2S), which is important for the pathogenesis of some bacteria. In addition to glutathione, some bacteria also produce other low molecular weight mercaptans, such as fungal mercaptan and Bacillus mercaptan, which affect the virulence of bacteria. In this study, the authors discussed that these newly reported low molecular weight mercaptans directly or indirectly regulate the pathogenesis of bacteria and the function of host immune system.

Low molecular weight (LMW) mercaptan is a molecule containing reducing sulfhydryl group, which can detoxify ROS, RNS and other free radicals. Low molecular weight mercaptans are involved in a series of biological functions, including antioxidant defense, cell signal transduction and regulation of eukaryotic immune system. In bacteria, low molecular weight mercaptans can help adapt and survive under adverse conditions, such as resisting oxidative stress and regulating the pathogenesis. Although the role of low molecular weight mercaptans has traditionally been considered as redox regulators in bacteria, there are reports that low molecular weight mercaptans can change the pathogenesis of bacteria in a more direct way. The main low molecular weight mercaptan in gram-negative bacteria is glutathione.