Molecular cloning and biochemical characterization of a Tau class glutathione S-transferase from Pinus brutia Ten

Abstract

KEY MESSAGE: A new Tau class GST gene was cloned from Pinus brutia Ten. cDNA sequence was analysed for conserved sequences. Substrate specificity, optimum pH, and temperature values of the recombinant PbGST Tau enzyme were determined. Tau class glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are essential enzymes for detoxification in plants. To date, a lot of the members of this family have been characterized from different plants but the studies on the conifers are very scarce. This study investigates for the first time molecular cloning and biochemical characterization of a Tau class GST gene (PbGST Tau) from Pinus brutia Ten. The full length PbGST Tau ORF was 687 bp having a molecular mass of 27.37 kDa. Catalytic and ligand binding sites of PbGST Tau are well conserved and shared maximum identity with Pinus tabulaeformis GST Tau. Kinetic analysis with respect to 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and ethacrynic acid (ECA) as substrates exhibited a Kₘ of 3.66 mM and 0.3 mM, respectively. PbGST Tau enzyme had an optimum activity at pH 6.0 and 8.0 when CDNB and ECA were used as substrate, respectively. The highest activity was measured at 25 °C. Through enzyme assays, phylogenetic analysis and structural modelling, we provide a detailed characterization of the PbGST Tau gene and the enzyme. This study is going to provide new insights into the phylogenetic and biochemical analysis of GST family in conifers.