Alpha-class Glutathione S-transferase Research Articles

Alpha-class glutathione S-transferases involved in the detoxification of aflatoxin B1 in ducklings.

The objective of this study was to identify the key glutathione S-transferase (GST) isozymes involved in the detoxification of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in ducks' primary hepatocytes. The full-length cDNA encoding the 10 GST isozymes (GST, GST3, GSTM3, MGST1, MGST2, MGST3, GSTK1, GSTT1, GSTO1 and GSTZ1) were isolated/synthesized from ducks' liver and cloned into the pcDNA3.1(+) vector. The results showed that pcDNA3.1(+)-GSTs plasmids were successfully transferred into the ducks' primary hepatocytes and the mRNA of the 10 GST isozymes were overexpressed by 1.9-3274.7 times. Compared to the control, 75μg/L (IC30) or 150μg/L (IC50) AFB1 treatment reduced the cell viability by 30.0-50.0% and increased the LDH activity by 19.8-58.2% in the ducks' primary hepatocytes. Notably, the AFB1-induced changes in cell viability and LDH activity were mitigated by overexpression of GST and GST3. Compared to the cells treated with AFB1, exo-AFB1-8,9-epoxide (AFBO)-GSH, as the major detoxified product of AFB1, was increased in the cells overexpression of GST and GST3. Moreover, the sequences, phylogenetic and domain analysis revealed that the GST and GST3 were orthologous to Meleagris gallopavo GSTA3 and GSTA4. In conclusion, this study found that the ducks' GST and GST3 were orthologous to Meleagris gallopavo GSTA3 and GSTA4, which were involved in the detoxification of AFB1 in ducks' primary hepatocytes.

Alexander Munn

An immunohistochemical study of glutathione S-transferase (GST) expression in hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma is described. Unlike most animal models of hepatic malignancy pi class GST was not consistently overexpressed in...

Differential Transcriptome Responses to Aflatoxin B₁ in the Cecal Tonsil of Susceptible and Resistant Turkeys.

The nearly-ubiquitous food and feed-borne mycotoxin aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is carcinogenic and mutagenic, posing a food safety threat to humans and animals. One of the most susceptible animal species known and thus a good model for characterizing toxicological pathways, is the domesticated turkey (DT), a condition likely due, at least in part, to deficient hepatic AFB1-detoxifying alpha-class glutathione S-transferases (GSTAs). Conversely, wild turkeys (Eastern wild, EW) are relatively resistant to the hepatotoxic, hepatocarcinogenic and immunosuppressive effects of AFB1 owing to functional gene expression and presence of functional hepatic GSTAs. This study was designed to compare the responses in gene expression in the gastrointestinal tract between DT (susceptible phenotype) and EW (resistant phenotype) following dietary AFB1 challenge (320 ppb for 14 days); specifically in cecal tonsil which functions in both nutrient absorption and gut immunity. RNAseq and gene expression analysis revealed significant differential gene expression in AFB1-treated animals compared to control-fed domestic and wild birds and in within-treatment comparisons between bird types. Significantly upregulated expression of the primary hepatic AFB1-activating P450 (CYP1A5) as well as transcriptional changes in tight junction proteins were observed in AFB1-treated birds. Numerous pro-inflammatory cytokines, TGF-β and EGF were significantly down regulated by AFB1 treatment in DT birds and pathway analysis suggested suppression of enteroendocrine cells. Conversely, AFB1 treatment modified significantly fewer unique genes in EW birds; among these were genes involved in lipid synthesis and metabolism and immune response. This is the first investigation of the effects of AFB1 on the turkey gastro-intestinal tract. Results suggest that in addition to the hepatic transcriptome, animal resistance to this mycotoxin occurs in organ systems outside the liver, specifically as a refractory gastrointestinal tract.

Short-term regulation of the hepatic activities of cytochrome P450 and glutathione S-transferase by nose-only cigarette smoke exposure in mice

The present study aimed to determine the effects of cigarette smoke on the regulation of hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzymes in male BALB/c mice exposed to nose-only cigarette smoke for 4 days. There were no significant increases in serum liver injury markers (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase) or oxidative stress (total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, and glutathione disulfide/reduced glutathione) following cigarette smoke exposure, but malondialdehyde was elevated in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of smoke-exposed mice. Additionally, the hepatic microsomal protein levels of Cyp1a and Cyp2b, and the activities of ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase, pentoxyresorufin O-depenylase, and chlorzoxazone 6-hydrxylase, were elevated in smoke-exposed mice. Interestingly, the hepatic activities of GST toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene, and ethacrynic acid, but not cumene hydroperoxide were enhanced by cigarette smoke exposure, which was consistent with the increased expression levels of mu- and pi-class GSTs, but not alpha-class GSTs, observed in immunoblot analyses. These findings indicate that the short-term inhalation of cigarette smoke induces drug-metabolizing enzymes such as CYP1A, CYP2B, and mu/pi-class GSTs in the absence of hepatic injury and oxidative stress. Furthermore, smoking may alter hepatic drug metabolism, as well as the disposition and toxicity of xenobiotics, including some therapeutic drugs and cigarette smoke constituents.

Proteomic identification of an alpha class glutathione S-transferase in freshwater snails (Bulinus globosus)

Abstract Bulinus globosus is a freshwater snail that serves as intermediate host for Schistosoma haematobium and is known to be drought-tolerant. A previous report on the alteration in the status of glutathione S-transferase (GST) in B. globosus during aestivation and recovery, suggested that GST might be involved in the adaptation of the organism to drought. Therefore, the present study aims to characterize GST isoforms that are displayed in snails under drought stress, sampled during the dry season, and those under recovery, sampled during the rainy season. Our data show that the hepatopancreas contained the highest level of GST compared to foot muscle, hemolymph, and visceral mass. GST activity in the hepatopancreas of snails under drought stress was about 2-3 times higher than that of the recovered snails. Activity staining of a polyacrylamide gel revealed that B. globosus both in the active and inactive state has at least three forms of GST. Based on SDS-PAGE, the multiplicity of the main GSTs in the hepatopancreas of B. globosus (BgGSTs) was further revealed by the presence of five protein bands. In addition, LC-MS/MS analysis of BgGST 2, 3 and 4 revealed the expression of alpha GST. In conclusion, B. globosus exhibits tissue-specific expression of multiple GSTs with elevated activities when the organism is under stress. Elevated activities coupled with an alpha GST class expression accentuate the role of BgGSTs as an antioxidant defense system, in particular under stress conditions.

Abstract 3597: Xenobiotic detoxification enzymes and cancer risk: A multiplex immunofluorescence detection of AE1/AE3, GSTA1 and GSTA3 in the tissue microarrays of gastrointestinal tract

Abstract Background: Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are an enzyme family responsible for the metabolism of toxins and carcinogens in the phase II detoxification pathway. Among the 5 alpha class isoforms, GSTA1 and GSTA3 are involved in metabolizing several active carcinogenic substrates generated from benzo-[a]-pyrene mainly found in grilled meats and burnt coal. The expression of GSTA1 and GSTA3 in gastrointestinal (GI) tract may be implicated with cancer development associated with the intake of xenobiotic substances. Methods: Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue cores of esophagus (190), stomach (180), small intestine (372), colon (120) and rectum (142) were stained with a multiplex tyramide-immunofluorescence (T-IMF) technique for the simultaneous demonstration of cytokeratin AE1/AE3, GSTA1 and GSTA3. The tissue types range from normal to cancer progression spectrum. All tissue cores were screened for AE1/AE3 expression to confirm the epithelial cell lineage before scoring for GSTA1 and GSTA3 positivity. A p-value <0.05 by Chi-squared test is considered significant. Results: T-IMF is useful in studying the interaction of multi-markers in a single slide. This technique is superior to chromogenic immunohistochemical application in multi-color presentation. This highly sensitive and handy technique will save multiple sectionings and precious tissues. We found a significant down-regulation of two alpha class GSTs in the malignancies of GI tract (Table 1). Table 1. Positive percentages of glutathione S-transferases markersMarkerEsophagusStomachSmall intestineColonRectumNMNMNMNMNMGSTA141%24%99%40%90%15%22%3%43%21%p-value0.0603<0.0001<0.00010.0010.0194GSTA378%35%99%54%96%64%100%39%88%40%p-value<0.0001<0.0001<0.0001<0.0001<0.0001Abbreviation: N= normal; M= malignant Conclusion: The differential expression of these detoxification enzymes in normal epithelium vs GI cancer may shed some light on their role in protecting normal tissue from cancer development. This finding may provide a potential target for the development of intervention strategies against GI cancer. Further investigations will be conducted to decipher the mechanism underlying this observation. Citation Format: Victor Wan-San Ma, Goretti Hoi-Yan Cheung, Eunice Yuen-Ting Lau, William Chi-Shing Cho. Xenobiotic detoxification enzymes and cancer risk: A multiplex immunofluorescence detection of AE1/AE3, GSTA1 and GSTA3 in the tissue microarrays of gastrointestinal tract [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3597.

A combined biochemical and computational studies of the rho-class glutathione s-transferase sll1545 of Synechocystis PCC 6803

Peroxides are one of the most important radicals that cause oxidative stress. Certain Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) have been reported to show peroxidase activity. We report a novel peroxidase activity of Synechocystis GST- sll1545. The recombinant protein was purified to homogeneity and characterized. Low Km (0.109μM) and high Vmax (0.663μmolmin−1) values suggest a high preference of sll1545 for cumenehydroperoxide. Disc inhibition assay confirmed the ability of the enzyme to protect cells against peroxide-induced damage. sll1545 has very low sequence and structural similarity with theta and alpha class GSTs that exhibit glutathione-dependent peroxidase activity. Recent data from our laboratory shows that sll1545 is also strongly active against dichloroacetate (DCA), which is a characteristic of zeta class GST. Interestingly, sll1545 shows less than 20% sequence identity with zeta class GST. Molecular dynamic simulation results show that sll1545 was much more structurally different from alpha/theta classes. Our results suggest that sll1545 shows structural variation from zeta, theta/alpha classes of GSTs but have related enzymatic activity. Phylogenetic analysis reveal that sll1545 is evolutionally very distinct from the known GSTs. Overall, the data suggest that Synechocystis sll1545 does not belong to any known GST class and represent a novel GST class, which we have named rho.

Irreversible Inhibition of Glutathione S-Transferase by Phenethyl Isothiocyanate (PEITC), a Dietary Cancer Chemopreventive Phytochemical.

Dietary isothiocyanates abundant as glucosinolate precursors in many edible cruciferous vegetables are effective for prevention of cancer in chemically-induced and transgenic rodent models. Some of these agents, including phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), have already advanced to clinical investigations. The primary route of isothiocyanate metabolism is its conjugation with glutathione (GSH), a reaction catalyzed by glutathione S-transferase (GST). The pi class GST of subunit type 1 (hGSTP1) is much more effective than the alpha class GST of subunit type 1 (hGSTA1) in catalyzing the conjugation. Here, we report the crystal structures of hGSTP1 and hGSTA1 each in complex with the GSH adduct of PEITC. We find that PEITC also covalently modifies the cysteine side chains of GST, which irreversibly inhibits enzymatic activity.

북방전복 (Haliotis discus hannai)에서 분리한 Glutathione S-transferase 유전자의 분자생물학적 고찰 및 발현분석

본 연구에서는 북방전복 (Haliotis discus hannai)의 대용량 염기서열 분석을 통해 GST유전자의 전장 cDNA를 동정하였다. 북방전복 GST 유전자의 총 길이는 1669 bp로 672 bp의 ORF는 총 223개의 아미노산을 코딩하고 있으며 등전점은 5.69, 분자량은 25.8 kDa으로 예측되었다. 북방전복 GST아미노산 서열은 둥근전복과 지중해 담치와 같은 패류의 GSTA와 가장 유사성이 높았으며 계통수 분석을 통해 GSTA와 하나의 그룹을 이루었다. 북방전복 GST에는 GSTA의 특징을 갖는 두 site (N-말단의 G-site, C-말단의 H-site)가 보존되어 있었고 효소활성과 구조 유지에 중요한 잔기가 종간에 매우 보존되어 있었다. 북방전복 GST 유전자의 mRNA는 관찰된 모든 조직에서 발현하고 있었으며, 특히 외투막, 아가미, 간췌장, 소화관에서 높은 발현이 확인되었다. 북방전복의 GST는 비브리오균을 인위감염 시킨 전복의 간췌장에서 감염 후 1시간 뒤 발현이 급격히 증가했다가 3시간까지 증가한 뒤 감소하였고, 혈구세포에서는 감염 3시간 경과 후 발현 정도가 최고로 증가했다가 감소하였다. 따라서 북방전복 GST는 alpha class GST의 특징을 가지며 병원체 감염에 따른 면역반응 조절에 관여할 것이라 생각되며 병원균 감염에 따른 바이오마커로 활용가능 할 것이라 예상된다. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are a superfamily of detoxification enzymes that primarily catalyze the nucleophilic addition of reduced glutathione to both endogenous and exogenous electrophiles. In this study, we isolated and characterized a full-length of alpha class GST cDNA from the abalone (Haliotis discus hannai). The abalone GST cDNA encodes a 223-amino acid polypeptide with a calculated molecular mass of 25.8 kDa and isoelectric point of 5.69. Multiple alignments and phylogenetic analysis with the deduced abalone GST protein revealed that it belongs to the alpha class GSTs and showed strong homology with disk abalone (Haliotis discus discus) putative alpha class GST. Abalone GST mRNA was ubiquitously detected in all tested tissues. GST mRNA expression was comparatively high in the mantle, gill, liver, and digestive duct, however, lowest in the hemocytes. Expression level of abalone GST mRNA in the mantle, gill, liver, and digestive duct was 182.7-fold, 114.8-fold, 4675.8-fold, 406.1-fold higher than in the hemocytes, respectively. Expression level of abalone GST mRNA in the liver was peaked at 6 h post-infection with Vibrio parahemolyticus and decreased at 12 h post-infection. While the expression level of abalone GST mRNA in the hemocytes was drastically increased at 3 h post-infection with Vibrio parahemolyticus. These results suggest that abalone GST is conserved through evolution and may play roles similar to its mammalian counterparts.

Two homologs of rho-class and polymorphism in alpha-class glutathione S-transferase genes in the liver of three tilapias

To clarify detoxification metabolism of tilapia, a natural and biological control for removing the leftover toxicants in fresh water, sequence structure, expression profile and polymorphisms of members of glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes were analyzed in Nile tilapia, blue tilapia and their hybrid. Full-length mRNA sequences of alpha-class GST (GSTA) and two homologs of rho-class GST (GSTR) were identified. Sequence analysis confirmed the similarity in conserved domain regions and their phylogenetic relationships with GST genes in other fishes. In addition, three single nucleotide polymorphisms of GSTA genes were identified in the three populations, two (C266T and G525A) of which showed significant association. The relative mRNA expression of GSTA gene was significantly (P<0.05) increased in the liver of Nile tilapia at 24h post-injection of MC-LR, significantly (P<0.05) decreased in blue tilapia whereas slightly decreased (P>0.05) in hybrid tilapia.

Expression of hepatic antioxidant enzymes in non-obese type-2 diabetic Goto–Kakizaki rats

Diabetes mellitus and its complications have been attributed in part to oxidative stress, against which antioxidant enzymes constitute a major protective mechanism. The present study was performed to investigate the effects of early stage type 2 diabetes in the absence of obesity and liver damage on hepatic antioxidant enzyme expression and oxidative stress using 9-week-old Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats. Hepatic total antioxidant capacity determined by total oxygen radical scavenging capacity and lipid peroxidation determined by malondialdehyde in plasma and liver were not significantly different between normal Wistar rats and GK rats. These results indicated that oxidative stress is not evident in these type 2 diabetic rats. Hepatic expression levels of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase-1, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and reductase, thioredoxin-1, mu- and pi-class glutathione S-transferase (GST), and the gamma-glutamylcysteine ligase catalytic subunit, were not different between normal rats and GK rats. But, hepatic level and activity of alpha-class GST were decreased and peroxiredoxin-1 level was increased in GK rats, suggesting that upregulation of peroxiredoxin-1 compensates for downregulation of alpha-class GST. These results suggest that alpha-class GST and peroxiredoxin-1 in liver can be altered during the early stages of type 2 diabetes in the absence of obesity and severe oxidative stress.

An alpha class glutathione S-transferase from pike liver

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) was isolated from the Esox lucius liver and purified to the homogenous state by SDS-PAGE and isoelectrofocusing. It was found to be a homodimer with a subunit molecular weight of 25235.36 Da (HPLC-MS/MS data) and pI of about 6.4. Its substrate specificity, thermal stability, some kinetic characteristics, and optimum pH were studied. The enzyme was identified as Alpha class GST.

Heterologous expression and functional characterization of avian mu-class glutathione S-transferases

Hepatic glutathione S-transferases (GSTs: EC2.5.1.1.8) catalyze the detoxification of reactive electrophilic compounds, many of which are toxic and carcinogenic intermediates, via conjugation with the endogenous tripeptide glutathione (GSH). Glutathione S-transferase (GST)-mediated detoxification is a critical determinant of species susceptibility to the toxic and carcinogenic mycotoxin aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), which in resistant animals efficiently detoxifies the toxic intermediate produced by hepatic cytochrome P450 bioactivation, the exo-AFB1-8,9-epoxide (AFBO). Domestic turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) are one of the most sensitive animals known to AFB1, a condition associated with a deficiency of hepatic GST-mediated detoxification of AFBO. We have recently shown that unlike their domestic counterparts, wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris), which are relatively resistant, express hepatic GST-mediated detoxification activity toward AFBO. Because of the importance of GSTs in species susceptibility, and to explore possible GST classes involved in AFB1 detoxification, we amplified, cloned, expressed and functionally characterized the hepatic mu-class GSTs tGSTM3 (GenBank accession no. JF340152), tGSTM4 (JF340153) from domestic turkeys, and a GSTM4 variant (ewGSTM4, JF340154) from Eastern wild turkeys. Predicted molecular masses of tGSTM3 and two tGSTM4 variants were 25.6 and 25.8kDa, respectively. Multiple sequence comparisons revealed four GSTM motifs and the mu-loop in both proteins. tGSTM4 has 89% amino acid sequence identity to chicken GSTM2, while tGSTM3 has 73% sequence identity to human GSTM3 (hGSTM3). Specific activities of Escherichia coli-expressed tGSTM3 toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and peroxidase activity toward cumene hydroperoxide were five-fold greater than tGSTM4 while tGSTM4 possessed more than three-fold greater activity toward 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene (DCNB). The two enzymes displayed equal activity toward ethacrynic acid (ECA). However, none of the GSTM proteins had AFBO detoxification capability, in contrast to recombinant alpha-class GSTs shown in our recent study to possess this important activity. In total, our data indicate that although turkey hepatic GSTMs may contribute to xenobiotic detoxification, they probably play no role in detoxification of AFBO in the liver.

Alpha-Class Glutathione S-Transferases in Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo): Characterization and Role in Resistance to the Carcinogenic Mycotoxin Aflatoxin B1

Domestic turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) are one of the most susceptible animals known to the toxic effects of the mycotoxin aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a potent human hepatocarcinogen, and universal maize contaminant. We have demonstrated that such susceptibility is associated with the inability of hepatic glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) to detoxify the reactive electrophilic metabolite exo-AFB1-8,9-epoxide (AFBO). Unlike their domestic counterparts, wild turkeys, which are relatively AFB1-resistant, possess hepatic GST-mediated AFBO conjugating activity. Here, we characterized the molecular and functional properties of hepatic alpha-class GSTs (GSTAs) from wild and domestic turkeys to shed light on the differences in resistance between these closely related strains. Six alpha-class GST genes (GSTA) amplified from wild turkeys (Eastern and Rio Grande subspecies), heritage breed turkeys (Royal Palm) and modern domestic (Nicholas strain) turkeys were sequenced, and catalytic activities of heterologously-expressed recombinant enzymes determined. Alpha-class identity was affirmed by conserved GST domains and four signature motifs. All GSTAs contained single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in their coding regions: GSTA1.1 (5 SNPs), GSTA1.2 (7), GSTA1.3 (3), GSTA2 (3), GSTA3 (1) and GSTA4 (2). E. coli-expressed GSTAs possessed varying activities toward GST substrates 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene (DCNB), ethacrynic acid (ECA), cumene hydroperoxide (CHP). As predicted by their relative resistance, livers from domestic turkeys lacked detectable GST-mediated AFBO detoxification activity, whereas those from wild and heritage birds possessed this critical activity, suggesting that intensive breeding and selection resulted in loss of AFB1-protective alleles during domestication. Our observation that recombinant tGSTAs detoxify AFBO, whereas their hepatic forms do not, implies that the hepatic forms of these enzymes are down-regulated, silenced, or otherwise modified by one or more mechanisms. These data may inform of possible molecular mechanisms of resistance to AFB1, and may also have the benefit of identifying genetic markers which could be used to enhance AFB1 resistance in modern domestic strains.

Engineering High Catalytic Efficiency of the Steroid Isomerase Activity of Human Glutathione S-transferase P1-1

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are a family of multifunctional enzymes that catalyze the formation of conjugates between reduced glutathione (GSH) and a variety of carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic and pharmacologically active compounds. 1,2 GSTs have also been shown to participate in other biological process. Certain GSTs can detoxify lipid and DNA hydroperoxide by their intrinsic peroxidase activity, while others can catalyze the isomerization of certain steroids. Mammalian cytosolic GSTs, which exist as homo- or heterodimers, are grouped into at least seven distinct classes alpha, mu, pi, sigma, theta, sigma, kappa and zeta - according to their physical, chemical, immunological and structural properties. 1,3,4 Human pi-class hGST P1-1 contains eight arginine residues. Among them, Arg13 is the only residue conserved in all the known Pi class GSTs and in most of the Alpha class GSTs. The highly conserved residues are expected to be important to the enzyme's structure and function. hGST P1-1 is particularly interesting as it can be used as a reliable preneoplastic or neoplastic marker because it is expressed at raised levels by a number of human tumors. 5,6 It has also

&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Gsta&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;4 Null Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts Exhibit Enhanced Sensitivity to Oxidants: Role of 4-Hydroxynonenal in Oxidant Toxicity

The alpha class glutathione s-transferase (GST) isozyme GSTA4-4 (EC2.5.1.18) exhibits high catalytic efficiency to-wards 4-hydroxynon-2-enal (4-HNE), a major end product of oxidative stress induced lipid peroxidation. Exposure of cells and tissues to heat, radiation, and chemicals has been shown to induce oxidative stress resulting in elevated concentrations of 4-HNE that can be detrimental to cell survival. Alternatively, at physiological levels 4-HNE acts as a signaling molecule conveying the occurrence of oxidative events initiating the activation of adaptive pathways. To examine the impact of oxidative/electrophilic stress in a model with impaired 4-HNE metabolizing capability, we disrupted the Gsta4 gene that encodes GSTA4-4 in mice. The effect of electrophile and oxidants on embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) isolated from wild type (WT) and Gsta4 null mice were examined. Results indicate that in the absence of GSTA4-4, oxidant-induced toxicity is potentiated and correlates with elevated accumulation of 4-HNE adducts and DNA damage. Treatment of Gsta4 null MEF with 1,1,4-tris(acetyloxy)-2(E)-nonene [4-HNE(Ac)3], a pro-drug form of 4-HNE, resulted in the activation and phosphorylation of the c-jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular-signal-regulated kinases (ERK 1/2) and p38 mitogen activated protein kinases (p38 MAPK) accompanied by enhanced cleavage of caspase-3. Interestingly, when recombinant mammalian or invertebrate GSTs were delivered to Gsta4 null MEF, activation of stress-related kinases in 4-HNE(Ac)3 treated Gsta4 null MEF were inversely correlated with the catalytic efficiency of delivered GSTs towards 4-HNE. Our data suggest that GSTA4-4 plays a major role in protecting cells from the toxic effects of oxidant chemicals by attenuating the accumulation of 4-HNE.

Expression of hepatic and ovarian antioxidant enzymes during estrous cycle in rats

The regulation of antioxidant enzymes has received increased attention in terms of protection from many diseases. Despite reports that administered estradiol derivatives can change antioxidant enzyme levels, comprehensive information is not available regarding the effects of the human menstrual cycle or the rat estrous cycle on the expression of the antioxidant enzyme system. The present study was performed to determine the expression levels of cytosolic antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase-1, catalase, glutathione peroxidase-1, glutathione reductase, peroxiredoxin (Prx)-1, Prx-2, thioredoxin-1, gamma-glutamylcysteine ligase catalytic subunit, alpha-class glutathione S-transferase (GST), pi-class GST, and mu-class GST, in the liver and ovaries of female rats during diestrus and proestrus. Our results indicate that hepatic expression of Prx-1 and Prx-2, and ovarian expression of alpha-class GST were increased significantly during the proestrus phase compared with the diestrus phase. These results suggest that the hepatic Prx family and ovarian alpha-class GST are sensitive to changes during the estrous cycle. Further studies are needed to determine the physiological significance of the regulation of the Prx family and alpha-class GST during the estrous cycle.

Functional Characterization of Alpha-Class Glutathione S-Transferases from the Turkey (Meleagris Gallopavo)

Six Alpha-class glutathione S-transferase (GST) subunits were cloned from domestic turkey livers, which are one of the most susceptible animals known to the carcinogenic mycotoxin aflatoxin B₁. In most animals, GST dysfunction is a risk factor for susceptibility toward AFB₁, and we have shown that turkeys lack GSTs with affinity toward the carcinogenic intermediate exo-aflatoxin B(1)-8-9-epoxide (AFBO). Conversely, mice are resistant to AFB₁ carcinogenesis, due to high constitutive expression of mGSTA3 that has high affinity toward AFBO. When expressed in Escherichia coli, all six tGSTA subunits possessed conjugating activities toward substrates 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene (DCNB), ethacrynic acid (ECA), and cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) with tGSTA1.2 appearing most active. Interestingly, tGSTA1.1, which lacks one of the four Alpha-class signature motifs, possessed enzymatic activities toward all substrates. All had comparable activities toward AFBO conjugation, an activity absent in turkey liver cytosols. E. coli-expressed mGSTA3 conjugated AFBO with more than 3-fold greater activity than that of tGSTAs and had higher activity toward GST prototype substrates. Mouse hepatic cytosols had approximately 900-fold higher catalytic activity toward AFBO compared with those from turkey. There was no apparent amino acid profile in tGSTAs that might correspond to specificity toward AFBO, although tGSTA1.2, which had slightly higher AFBO-trapping ability, shared Tyr¹⁰⁸ with mGSTA3, a residue postulated to be critical for AFBO trapping activity in mammalian systems. The observation that recombinant tGSTAs detoxify AFBO, whereas their hepatic forms do not, implies that the hepatic forms of these enzymes are silenced by one or more regulatory mechanisms.

Quantitative and selective polymerase chain reaction analysis of highly similar human alpha-class glutathione transferases

Alpha-class glutathione transferases (GSTs) found expressed in human tissues constitute a family of four homologous enzymes with contrasting enzyme activities. In particular, GST A3-3 has been shown to contribute to the biosynthesis of steroid hormones in human cells and is selectively expressed in steroidogenic tissues. The more ubiquitous GST A1-1, GST A2-2, and GST A4-4 appear to be primarily involved in detoxification processes and are expressed at higher levels than GST A3-3. We are interested in studying the cell and tissue expression of the GST A3-3 gene, yet the existence of highly expressed sequence-similar homologs and of several splice variants is a serious challenge for the specific detection of unique transcript species. We found that published polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers for GST A3-3 lack the specificity required for reliable quantitative analysis. Therefore, we designed quantitative PCR (qPCR) primers with greatly increased discrimination power for the human GSTA3 full-length transcript. The improved primers allow accurate discrimination between GST A3-3 and the other alpha-class GSTs and so are of great value to studies of the expression of the GSTA3 gene. The novel primers were used to quantify GSTA3 transcripts in human embryonic liver and steroidogenic cell lines.

Characterization of porcine Alpha-class glutathione transferase A1-1

An Alpha-class glutathione transferase (GST) has been cloned from pig gonads. In addition to two conservative point mutations our nucleotide sequence presents a frame shift resulting from a missing A as compared to a previously published porcine GST A1-1 sequence. The deduced C-terminal amino-acid segment of the protein differs between the two variants. Repeated sequencing of cDNA isolated from different tissues and animals ruled out the possibility of a cloning artifact, and the deduced amino acid sequence of our clone showed higher similarity to related mammalian GST sequences. Hereafter, we refer to our cloned enzyme as GST A1-1 and to the previously published enzyme as GST A1-1∗. The study of the tissue distribution of the GSTA1 mRNA revealed high expression levels in many organs, in particular adipose tissue, liver, and pituitary gland. Porcine GST A1-1 was expressed in Escherichia coli and its kinetic properties were determined using alternative substrates. The catalytic activity in steroid isomerization reactions was at least 10-fold lower than the corresponding values for porcine GST A2-2, whereas the activity with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene was approximately 8-fold higher. Differences in the H-site residues of mammalian Alpha-class GSTs may explain the catalytic divergence.