Abstract

A previously uncharacterized glutathione S-transferase isoenzyme which is absent from normal adult rat livers has been isolated fetal rat livers. The enzyme was purified using a combination of affinity chromatography, CM-cellulose column chromatography and chromatofocusing. It is composed of two non-identical subunits, namely, subunit Y c ( M r 28 000) and a subunit ( M r 25 500) recently reported by us to be uniquely present in fetal rat livers and which we now refer to as subunit ‘Y fetus’. The enzyme which we term glutathione S-transferase Y cY fetus has an isoelectric point of approx. 8.65 and has glutathione S-transferase activity towards a number of substrates. The most significant property of the fetal isozyme is its high glutathione peroxidase activity towards the model substrate cumene hydroperoxide. We suggest that this isozyme serves a specific function in protecting fetuses against the possible teratogenic effects of organic peroxides.

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