The autoxidation of glutathione (GSH) is catalyzed by [Cl(NH3)(5)Ru-III](2+) yielding only [OH(NH3)(5)Ru-III](2+) and GSSG according to the rate law d[GSSG]/dt = k[Ru][GSH], where k = 3 M-1 s(-1). The anaerobic reaction of GSH with [Cl(NH3)(5)Ru-III](2+) yields first [OH(NH3)(5)Ru-III](2+) and then [GS(NH3)(5)Ru-III](+) at neutral pH, both through redox catalysis. The reaction appears to proceed through reduction of Rum by GSH to give [H2O(NH3)(5)Ru-II](2+), followed by coordination to produce [GSH(NH3)(5)Ru-II](2+) and then oxidation of the latter ion by [OH(NH3)(5)Ru-III](2+) Or GSSG to yield [GS(NH3)(5)Ru-III](+). [GS(NH3)(5)Ru-III](+) is also produced by the reaction of GSH with [(NH3)(6)Ru](3+) or [py(NH3)(5)Ru](3+). Glutathione reduces [OH(NH3)(5)Ru-III](2+) through a pre-equilibrium mechanism according to the following rate law: d[Ru-II]/dt = k[Ru-III][GSH]/(K-i + [GSH]), where K-i = 2.0 x 10(-3) M-1 and k = 2.3 x 10(-3) s(-1). The reduction potential of [(GS)(NH3)(5)Ru-III] is pH-dependent according to the Nernstian equation: E = E degrees - 0.59 log {K-a/([H+] + K-a)}, where E degrees = -440 mV, pK(a) = 7.1. While [GS(NH3)(5)Ru-III] is stable for extended periods under inert atmosphere, it changes in air, eventually yielding [HO(NH3)(5)Ru-III] among other products at high pH with k(obs) (s(-1)) = (k(1)K(a) + k(2)[H+])/([H+] + K-a), where k(1) = 9 x 10(-6) s(-1), k(2) = 1.2 x 10(-4) s(-1) M-1, and pK(a) = 12. At [GSH]/[Ru-III] less than or equal to 1, the coordination of [Cl(NH3)(5)Ru-III](2+) to DNA. is facilitated by GSH reduction to the more substitution-labile [H2O(NH3)(5)Ru-II](2+). However, at [GSH]/[Ru-III] greater than or equal to 1, guanine binding on DNA is inhibited by GSH, which coordinates Ru-II and facilitates oxidation back to Ru-III because of the low E degrees of [GS(NH3)(5)Ru-III](+). Consistent with this is the increased toxicity of [Cl(NH3)(5)Ru-III](2+) to Jurkat T-cells, when GSH levels are suppressed. High [GSH]/[Ru] alters the DNA binding of [H2O(NH3)(5)Ru-II](2+) to essentially eliminate G(7) coordination and lower C-4 binding, but leaving A(6) binding relatively unaffected, which may have implications for the mechanism of ruthenium antitumor agents.