Used primarily as a research tool in biochemistry and pharmacology, this compound is a potent inhibitor of glutathione synthesis. It targets the enzyme γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase, leading to depletion of intracellular glutathione levels. This property makes it valuable in studies involving oxidative stress, cancer cell sensitivity, and drug resistance mechanisms. Researchers use it to sensitize tumor cells to chemotherapy and radiation by reducing the antioxidant defenses of cancer cells. It is also applied in neuroscience and toxicology studies to investigate the role of glutathione in cellular protection and disease progression.