Molecular identification and biochemical characteristics of a delta class glutathione S-transferase gene(FcδGST)from Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis

Glutathione S-transferases(GSTs)are a superfamily of multifunction enzymes involved in the regulation of redox homeostasis and innate immune responses against various pathogenic infections in marine invertebrates.In the present study,a delta class GST gene(designated as FcδGST)was cloned from Fenneropenaeus chinensis using rapid amplification of c DNA ends(RACE)technology.The complete cDNA sequence of FcδGST was 780 bp in length,which includes a 27-bp 5′non-coding region(UTR),a 117-bp 3′UTR,a 636-bp open reading frame(ORF),and a polyadenylate signal site(AATAAA)presented at the upstream of poly A tail.The FcδGST gene encoded 211 amino acids peptide,including a GST_N domain and a GST_C domain,and exhibited high similarity with previously reported delta GSTs.The predicted molecular mass of FcδGST protein was 23.39 kDa,and its theoretical isoelectric point(pI)was 5.34.The FcδGST mRNA transcripts were ubiquitously expressed in all the tested tissues,with the highest expression level in hemocytes and hepatopancreas.During the stimulation of Vibrio anguillarum or white spot syndrome virus(WSSV),the m RNA expression of FcδGST in hemocytes and hepatopancreas revealed significant up-regulation.The purified recombinant FcδGST protein(designated as rFcδGST)exhibited specific catalytic activity against 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene(CDNB)substrate with relatively low stable enzymatic activities.These results indicated that FcδGST was a fragile but typical novel delta class GST member and potentially involved in the innate immune responses of F.chinensis.

Glutathione S-Transferase(GST)Identified from Giant Kelp Macrocystis pyrifera Increases the Copper Tolerance of Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942

The glutathione S-transferases gene family plays an important regulatory role in growth and development,and responses to environmental change.In this study,six complete GST genes(Mp GST1,Mp GST2,Mp GST3,MpGST4,Mp GST5,and Mp GST6)were cloned from the gametophytes of brown alga Macrocystis pyrifera.Subsequent bioinformatics analysis showed that these six genes encoded proteins with 202,216,288,201,205,and 201 aa,respectively.Moreover,Mp GST3 differs from the other GST genes.Phylogenetic analysis suggested that MpGST3 belongs to the Ure2p type GST.Domain analysis suggested that the other GSTs from M.pyrifera belong to the soluble GST family and form an independent branch with the GSTs found in the other macroalgae,suggesting that a new GST type was formed during macroalgal evolution.GST genes were upregulated in M.pyrifera when 2.5 mg L^(-1)Cu ions were added to the medium.Six GST genes were integrated into the genome of Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942,and their functions were verified by measuring light absorbance,photosynthetic pigment content,and photosynthetic parameters of the transformed strains under 0.3 mg L^(-1)Cu ion stress.The results showed much higher levels of various parameters in the transformed strains than in the wild strain.The transformed strains(with the MpGST genes)showed significantly enhanced resistance to Cu ion stress,while the wild strain almost died.The results of this study lay a theoretical foundation for further research on the Cu ion stress resistance function of GSTs in M.pyrifera.

Glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1 Gene Deletion Associated with Increased Susceptibility to Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Objective： To evaluate the association of Glutathione S-transferase （GST） M1 and T1 genetic polymorphisms and susceptibility to nasopharyngeal carcinoma （NPC） in a high risk area of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region （province）, Southwest of China. Methods： A case-control study was conducted to investigate the genetic polymorphisms of these enzymes （GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes）. A total of 127 NPC cases and 207 controls were recruited. Results： GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotype frequencies were higher among NPC patients at a level of statistical significance （P〈0.005; P〈0.001 respectively）, and both GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotype were even more significant （P〈0.001）. Conclusion： NPC is the most common cancer in Guangxi. GST enzymes are involved in the detoxification of many environmental carcinogens. Homozygous deletions of GSTM1 and GSTT1 have been associated with several types of cancer. The risk to develop NPC has been associated with environmental factors such as cigarette smoking and EB virus infection. The present results indicate that the GSTM1 and GSTT1 deletion polymorphisms are associated with an increase risk of susceptibility to NPC, and both detoxific enzyme genes deletion is more important than a single gene deletion for the susceptibility to NPC.

Polymorphism of glutathione S-transferase mu 1 and theta 1 genes and hepatocellular carcinoma in southern Guangxi, China

AIM: Glutathione S-transferase mu 1 (GSTM1) and theta 1 (GSTT1) genes are involved in the metabolism of a wide range of carcinogens, but deletions of the genes are commonly found in the population. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the association between GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk. METHODS: The genetic polymorphisms were studied at an aflatoxin highly contaminated region in Guangxi, China. Pdymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used to detect the presence or absence of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes in blood samples. The case group was composed of 181 patients of HCC identified by the pathologists and the control group was composed of 360 adults without any tumor. RESULTS: The frequencies of GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes in the control were 47.8% and 42.7%, while those in the HCC group were 64.6% and 59.7%, respectively. The differences between HCC group and control group were very significant (P<0.01). GSTM1 and GSTT1 combined null genotypes in HCC group and control group were 38.2% and 18.5% respectively, and the difference was significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes are associated with an increased risk of HCC in a special geographic environment. Combination of the two null genotypes in an individual is substantially increased twice the risk of HCC.

Alterations of glutathione S-transferase and matrix metalloproteinase-9 expressions are early events in esophageal carcinogenesis

AIM: To investigate the role of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expres-sions in the development and progression of reflux es-ophagitis-Barrett’s metaplasia-dysplasia-adenocarcinoma sequence in the esophagus.METHODS: GST and MMP-9 expressions were analyzed in 51 paraffin-embedded tissue samples by immunohisto-chemistry including patients with reflux esophagitis (n = 7), Barrett’s metaplasia (n = 14), Barrett and esophagi-tis (n = 8), Barrett and dysplasia (n = 7), esophageal adenocarcinoma (n = 8) and a control group without any histological changes (n = 7). Immunostaining was determined semiquantitatively. Statistical analysis with one-way ANOVA, LSD test and correlation analysis were performed. P value of < 0.05 was considered significant.RESULTS: GST expression was significantly higher while MMP-9 expression was significantly lower in control group compared to Barrett’s metaplasia and the other groups. No major changes were observed between Bar-rett, esophagitis, and Barrett and concomitant esophagi-tis. Barrett and concomitant dysplasia, and adenocarci-noma revealed a significant lower expression of GST and higher levels of MMP-9 compared to all other groups. Adenocarcinoma showed almost no expression of GST and significantly higher levels of MMP-9 than Barrett and concomitant dysplasia. Alterations of GST and MMP-9 were inversely correlated (r = - 0.82).CONCLUSION: Decreased GST and increased ex-pression of MMP-9 in Barrett’s metaplasia-dysplasia-adenocarcinoma sequence as compared to normal tissue suggest their association with esophageal tumorigenesis. Loss of GST and gain of MMP-9 in Barrett with dyspla-sia compared to non-dysplastic metaplasia indicate that these alterations may be early events in carcinogenesis. Quantification of these parameters in Barrett’s esopha-gus might be useful to identify patients at higher risk for progression to cancer.

Response of Glutathione and Glutathione S-transferase in Rice Seedlings Exposed to Cadmium Stress

A hydroponic culture experiment was done to investigate the effect of Cd stress on glutathione content （GSH） and glutathione S-transferase （GST, EC 2.5.1,18） activity in rice seedlings. The rice growth was severely inhibited when Cd level in the solution was higher than 10 mg/L. In rice shoots, GSH content and GST activity increased with the increasing Cd level, while in roots, GST was obviously inhibited by Cd treatments, Compared with shoots, the rice roots had higher GSH content and GST activity, indicating the ability of Cd detoxification was much higher in roots than in shoots. There was a significant correlation between Cd level and GSH content or GST activity, suggesting that both parameters may be used as biomarkers of Cd stress in rice.

Increased oxidative damage of sperm and seminal plasma in men with idiopathic infertility is higher in patients with glutathione S-transferase Mu-1 null genotype

Aim： To examine whether a relationship exists between glutathione S-transferase Mu-1 （GSTM1） gene polymorphism and the susceptibility of sperm and seminal plasma from patients with idiopathic infertility to oxidative stress. Methods： Fifty-two men with idiopathic infertility and 60 healthy fertile men were recruited to this study. GSTM1 gene polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction （PCR） and both the infertile and control individuals were divided into GSTM1 null and GSTM1 positive groups according to their GSTM1 gene structure. We compared reactive oxygen species （ROS） generation, malondialdehyde （MDA）, protein carbonyls and glutathione （GSH） concentrations, and glutathione S-transferase （GST） activity in seminal plasma and spermatozoa from infertile patients and controls with respect to GSTM1 genotype. Results： Significantly higher levels of oxidative stress and damage markers were found in idiopathic infertile men with the GSTM1 null genotype compared with those with the GSTM1 positive genotype. There was no significant difference in genotype distribution for theGSTM1 variant between the idiopathic infertile subjects and fertile subjects. Patients with the GSTM1 null genotype also had lower sperm concentrations than those with GSTM1 positive genotype. Conclusion： Our results suggest that the susceptibility of sperm and seminal plasma to oxidative stress is significantly greater in idiopathic infertile men with the GSTM1 null genotype compared with those possessing the gene. Therefore, in patients with idiopathic infertility, GSTM1 polymorphism might be an important source of variation in susceptibility of spermatozoa to oxidative damage.

Vegetable/fruit, smoking, glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms and risk for colorectal cancer in Taiwan

AIM: To investigate the colorectal cancer risk associated with polymorphic GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 and the effect of diet and smoking.METHODS: With consents, genotypes of the genes were determined using PCR methods for 727 cases and 736sex and age-matched healthy controls recruited at a medical center in the Northern Taiwan. Nurses who were blind to the study hypothesis conducted interviews with study participants for the information of socio-demographic variables, diet and smoking.RESULTS: There was no significant association between GSTM1 genotypes and the disease. Men, not women, with GSTT1 null genotype were at significant risk of colorectal cancer, but limited to rectal tumor, and in men aged 60 years and less. The corresponding association with the GSTP1 with G allele compared to GSTP1 A/A genotype was at borderline significance. Compared to men with GSTT1 present and GSTP1 A/A combined, men with both GSTT1 null and GSTP1 with G allele genotypes were at significant risk (odds ratio (OR) = 1.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.21-3.02), also limited to the rectal tumor and younger men. The beneficial effects of vegetable/fruit intake on colorectal cancer were much higher for men with GSTT1 present (OR = 0.32, 95%CI = 0.20-0.50) or GSTP1 A/A genotypes (OR = 0.40, 95%CI = 0.25-0.64).These effects remained significant for women. But, the greatest protective effect from vegetable/fruit intake for women was observed in those with GSTT1 null or GSTP1 with G allele genotypes. In addition, non-smoking men benefitted significantly from combined effect of higher vegetable/fruit intake and GSTT1 present or GSTP1 A/A genotypes with OR = 0.17 and 0.21 respectively.CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the GSTT1 gene can modulate the colorectal cancer risk and vegetable/fruit-related colorectal cancer risk, particularly in men of no smoking history.

Measurement of mouse liver glutathione S-transferase activity by the integrated method

Objective: The integrated method was investigated to measure Vm/Km of mouse liver glutathione S-transfer-ase (GST) activity on GSH and 7-Cl-4-nitrobenzofurazozan. Methods: Presetting concentration of one substrate twenty-fold above the other's and taking maximum product absorbance Am as parameter while Km as constant, Vm/Km was obtained by nonlinear fitting of GST reaction curve to the integrated Michaelis-Menten equation In [Am/(Am -Ai)] + Ai/ ( ξ× Km ) = ( Vm/Km )×ti (1). Results: Vm/Km for GST showed slight dependence on initial substrate concentration and data range, but it was resistant to background absorbance, error in reaction origin and small deviation in presetting Km. Vm/Km was proportional to the amount of GST with upper limit higher than that by initial rate. There was close correlation between Vm/Km and initial rate of the same GST. Consistent results were obtained by this integrated method and classical initial rate method for the measurement of mouse liver GST. Conclusion: With the concentration of one substrate twenty-fold above the other's, this integrated method was reliable to measure the activity of enzyme on two substrates , and substrate concentration of the lower one close to its apparent Km was able to be used.

Polymorphism of Glutathione S-transferase T1,M1 and P1 Genes in a Shanghai Population: Patients With Occupational or Non-occupational Bladder Cancer

Objective Glutathione S-transferases are involved in the conjugation of xenobiotics. To explore whether GSTs polymorphisms are involved in the development of occupational or non-occupational bladder cancer, polymorphism frequencies of GSTT1, M1 and P1 were investigated in a normal population, which had been settled in a rural area in Shanghai suburb for at least 5 generations as well as in a group of patients with benzidine exposure related occupational bladder cancer in Shanghai dyestuff industry and a group of patients with non-occupational bladder cancer. Methods PCR based procedures were performed in the study populations to confirm the genotypes of GSTT1, M1 and P1. Results The polymorphisms at locus of GSTP1- A1578G in the normal population differed significantly from those in Caucasians or African Americans. All the subjects genotyped so far (n =118) bore only homogenous wild genotype (C2293/ C2293) at GSTP1 - C2293T locus. This locus seemed to be a monomorphic in Shanghai population. No significant difference in GSTT1 and GSTM1 polymorphic form frequencies could be confirmed among three groups of subjects. An overrepresentation of GSTP1 AG or GG genotype corresponding a less stable and less effective isozyme protein was detected in patients with benzidine related occupational bladder cancer, compared with that in the normal population though a statistical significance was not yet reached (P=0.09, OR=1.96, 95% CI 0.89-4.32,). Conclusion This study suggests that GSTM1 or GSTT1 homozygous deficiency genotypes and their combination do not have a clear impact on bladder cancer incidence in a Shanghai population. It seems that GSTP1 polymorphism is not associated with non-occupational bladder cancer. GSTP1 AG or GG genotype has a higher frequency in the patients with benzidine related occupational bladder cancer, and further work is needed to confirm if GSTP1 AG or GG genotype plays a role in the development of occupational bladder cancer.

Genetic polymorphism of glutathione S-transferase T1 gene and susceptibility to idiopathic azoospermia or oligospermia in northwestern China

Aim： To investigate the association of glutathione S-transferase T1 （GSTT1） gene polymorphism in patients with idiopathic azoospermia or oligospermia in the northwestern China population. Methods： In the case-control study, GSTT1 genotypes were identified by multiplex polymerase chain reaction （PCR） with peripheral blood DNA samples from 78 patients with idiopathic azoospermia, 103 patients with idiopathic oligospermia and 156 age-matched controls with normal sperm concentration and motility, according to the criteria adapted from World Health Organization guidelines. All of the patients and controls were from northwestern China. Results： There is a significant association between GSTT1 null genotype with idiopathic azoospermia risk （odds ratio [OR]： 2.36, 95% confidence interval [CI]： 1.33-4.20, P = 0.003） or idiopathic oligospermia risk （OR： 2.00, 95% CI： 1.17-3.27, P = 0.010）. Conclusion： GSTT1 null genotype is a predisposing risk factor for sporadic idiopathic azoospermia or oligospermia in northwestern China. （Asian J Androl 2008 Mar; 10： 266-270）

Induction of Glutathione and Glutathione S-transferase in Several Crops with the Treatment of Acetochlor

The response of glutathione(GSH) content and glutathione S-transferease(GST) activity to the acetochlor in roots and shoots of the maize 'Dongnong248',the sorghum 'Aoza No.2' and millet'Yugu' was evaluated.The concentrations of pre-emergence acetochlor causing a 50% inhibition of plant shoot height were 25 μmol·L^(-1) for the tolerant 'Dongnong248' maize,5 μmol·L^(-1) for the sensitive 'Aoza No.2' sorghum and 0.5 μmol·L^(-1) for the very sensitive 'Yugu'millet.Pre-treatment with 10 μmol·L^(-1) of acetochlor induced the root GST activities and nonprotein thiol content of all three cultivars.The induction of root GST activities and nonprotein thiol content compared to controls are observed on the fourth day after acetochlor treatment,The extents of activity and content increase from the higher to the lower were:tolerant maize cultivar 'Dongnong248'>sorghum cultivar'Aoza No.2'>millet cultivar 'Yugu'.The activities and contents induced in shoots were similar to that in roots,but the degrees of increase were less.Under different concentration treatment,the thiol content and GST activities increased with the herbicide concentration rising,then reached their peaks and began to decrease in all tested crop seedlings.The extent of induced GST activities and thiol content correlated well with differential cultivar resistance to acetochlor,so their protective mechanism appears to be strongly dependent on the endogenous levels of GSH and activities of GST.

Polymorphisms of the oxidant enzymes glutathione S-transferase and glutathione reductase and their association with resistance of Plasmodium falciparum isolates to antimalarial drugs

Objective:To investigate the association between amplification of the two regulatory genes controlling glutathione(GSH) levels,glutathione reductase(PfGR) and glutathione S-transferase (PfGST) genes and sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum(P.falciparum) isolates collected from different malaria endemic areas of Thailand to standard antimalarial drugs.Methods:A total of 70 P.falciparum isolates were collected from endemic areas of multi-drug resistance (Tak,Chantaburi and Ranong Provinces) during the year 2008-2009.The in vitro assessment of antimalarial activity of P.falciparum clones(K1- and Dd2 chloroquine resistant and 3D7- chloroquine sensitive) and isolates to chloroquine,quinine,mefloquine and arteusnate was performed based on SYBR Green modified assay.Results:68(97.14%),11(15.71%) and 28(40%) isolates respectively were classified as chloroquine-,quinine- and mefloquine-resistant isolates. With this limited number of P.falciparum isolates included in the analysis,no significant association between amplification of PfGST gene and sensitivity of the parasite to chloroquine, quinine,mefloquine and quinine was found.Based on PCR analysis,Dd2,Kl and 3D7 clones all contained only one copy of the PfGST gene.All isolates(70) also carried only one copy number of PfGST gene.There appears to be an association between amplification of PfGR gene and chloroquine resistance.The 3D7 and Dd2 clones were found to carry only one PfGR gene copy, whereas the K1 clone carried two gene copies.Conclusions:Chloroquine resistance is likely to be a consequence of multi-factors and enzymes in the GSH system may be partly involved. Larger number of parasite isolates are required to increase power of the hypothesis testing in order to confirm the involvement of both genes as well as other genes implicated in glutathione metabolism in conferring chloroquine resistance.

Alteration of glutathione S-transferase properties during the development of Micromelalopha troglodyta larvae (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae)

Micromelalopha troglodyta （Graeser） is an important pest of poplar in China. Glutathione S-transferases （GSTs） are known to be responsible for adaptation mechanisms of M. troglodyta. The activities and kinetic constants of glutathione S-transferases in M. troglodyta were studied. Significant differences in glutathione S-transferase activity and kinetic characteristics were observed among five instars of M. troglodyta larvae. Furthermore, the inhibition of glutathione S-transferase activity in five instars by 24 inhibitors was conducted. The results show the inhibition of GST activity of different instars by 24 inhibitors was different. For GST activity in the 1st instar, chlorpyrifos, lambda-cyhalothrin, endosulfan, abamectin, fipronil and pyridaben were the best inhibitors tested, and for GST activity in the 2nd instar, tannic acid and quercetin were the most potent inhibitors tested, and for GST activity in the 3rd instar, the inhibitory effects of quercetin, chlorpyrifos and lambda-cyhalothrin were the highest, and for GST activity in the 4th instar, quercetin and lambda-cyhalothrin were the best inhibitors, and the inhibitory effect of phoxim was the highest for GST activity in the 5th instar. Our results show that glutathione S-transferases in different instars are qualitatively different in isozyme composition and thus different in sensitivity to inhibitors.

Genetic Polymorphisms Analysis of Glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1 in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Summary: The relationship between glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) M1, T1 genotype and childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) was investigated. GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes in genomic DNA from 67 children with ALL and 146 healthy controls were analyzed by using the multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The frequencies of GSTM1, M1-T1 null genotypes in ALL children were significantly higher than in the healthy controls (76.12 % versus 52.74 %, OR=2.856, P<0.001; 50.74 % versus 24.66 %, OR=3.148, P<0.001, respectively). However, there was no significant relationship between GSTT1 null genotype and ALL of children (61.19 % versus 49.32 %, OR=1.621, P>0.05). It was suggested that GSTM1 null genotype might be a risk genotype of childhood ALL, while there as no correlation between GSTT1 null genotype and childhood ALL.

Proteomic analysis of glutathione S-transferase isoforms in mouse liver mitochondria

AIM:To survey glutathione(GSH) S-transferase(GST) isoforms in mitochondria and to reveal the isoforms' biological significance in diabetic mice.METHODS:The presence of GSTs in mouse liver mitochondria was systematically screened by two proteomic approaches,namely,GSH affinity chromatography/two dimensional electrophoresis(2DE/MALDI TOF/TOF MS) and SDS-PAGE/LC ESI MS/MS.The proteomic results were further confirmed by Western blotting using monoclonal antibodies against GSTs.To evaluate the liver mitochondrial GSTs quantitatively,calibration curves were generated by the loading amounts of individual recombinant GST protein vs the relative intensities elicited from the Western blotting.An extensive comparison of the liver mitochondrial GSTs was conducted between normal and db/db diabetic mice.Student's t test was adopted for the estimation of regression and significant difference.RESULTS:Using GSH affinity/2DE/MALDI TOF/TOF MS,three GSTs,namely,alpha3,mu1 and pi1,were identified;whereas five GSTs,alpha3,mu1,pi1,kappa1 and zeta1,were detected in mouse liver mitochondria using SDS-PAGE/LC ESI MS/MS,of these GSTs,GST kappa1 was reported as a specific mitochondrial GST.The R 2 values of regression ranged between values of about 0.86 and 0.98,which were acceptable for the quantification.Based on the measurement of the GST abundances in liver mitochondria of normal and diabetic mice,the four GSTs,alpha3,kappa1,mu1 and zeta1,were found to be almost comparable between the two sets of animals,whereas,lower GST pi1 was detected in the diabetic mice compared with normal ones,the signal of Western blotting in control and db/db diabetic mice liver mitochondria is 134.61 ± 53.84 vs 99.74 ± 46.2,with P < 0.05.CONCLUSION:Our results indicate that GSTs exist widely in mitochondria and its abundances of mitochondrial GSTs might be tissue-dependent and disease-related.

Cloning, characterization and expression analysis of a microsomal glutathione S-transferase gene from the seagrass Zostera marina

The response of glutathione S-transferase(GST)in Zostera marina to temperature variation was analyzed at molecular level by cloning the microsomal GST gene and texting the microsomal GST expression regularity under different temperature.Specific speaking,express ZmGST in Escherichia coli,then purify the recombinant protein and make the thermal stability analysis.Therefore,the experiments were carried out to provide a theoretical basis for the further elaboration to the population degradation mechanisms of Z.marina.In conclusion,the thermostability and the response of ZmGST gene to temperature changes can determine its temperature tolerance range,and affect its resilience in turn.

Purification and Identification of Glutathione S-transferase in Rice Root under Cadmium Stress

Cadmium （Cd） contamination in paddy soils poses a serious threat to the production and quality of rice. Among various biochemical processes related to Cd detoxification in rice, glutathione S-transferase （GST） plays an important role, catalyzing Cd complexation with glutathione （GSH） and scavenging reactive oxygen species （ROS） in cells. In this study, a hydroponic experiment was conducted to investigate the response of GST isozymes in rice roots upon Cd exposure. Results showed that the GST activity in rice roots was clearly enhanced by 50 pmol/L Cd treatment for 7 d. The GST isozymes were purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation, gel filtration chromatography and affinity chromatography. After being separated by SDS-PAGE and visualized by silver staining, GSTU6 was identified by in-gel digestion, MALDI-TOF-MS analysis and peptide mass fingerprint. The results confirm the vital function of tau class rice GST in Cd detoxification.

Anticancer Drug Resistance of HeLa Cells Transfected With Rat Glutathione S-transferase pi Gene

To establish a cytologic expressing system of rat glutathione S-transferase pi (GST-pi) cDNA for detecting the resistance of HeLa cells to anticancer drugs. Methods The assessment was made with various anticancer drugs (adriamycin, mitomycin, cisplatinum and vincristine) that showed different cytotoxicities in transfectant HeLa cells with pSV-GT containing rat GST-pi cDNA (HeLa/pSV-GT) or control pSV-neo (HeLa/pSV-neo). Expression levels of GST-pi mRNA in HeLa/pSV-GT and HeLa/pSV-neo were measured by in situ hybridization using Digoxin-labelled cDNA probe. Results HeLa/pSV-GT expressed significantly high degree of GST-pi mRNA, whereas both HeLa/pSV-neo and HeLa cells had very low expression. Cytotoxicities of HeLa/pSV-GT and HeLa/pSV-neo with 4 anticancer drugs were measured by MTT assay. Drug concentrations for yielding 50% inhibition (IC50) in HeLa/pSV-GT by adriamycin, mitomycin and cisplatinum were 70.13 靏/mL, 10.95 靏/mL and 16.52 靏/mL, respectively. In contrast, IC50 in HeLa/pSV-neo was 10.34 靏/mL, 7.48 靏/mL and 13.70 靏/mL, respectively. The cytotoxicities of vincristine on both HeLa/pSV-GT and HeLa/pSV-neo were not significantly different. Conclusions Our findings suggest that HeLa/pSV-GT containing rat GST-pi cDNA is resistant to some anticancer drugs due to overexpression of GST-pi. Also, HeLa/pSV-GT cell line could serve as a useful cytogenetic model for further research.

Novel insights into conjugation of antitumor-active unsymmetrical bisacridine C-2028 with glutathione:Characteristics of non-enzymatic and glutathione S-transferase-mediated reactions

Unsymmetrical bisacridines(UAs) are a novel potent class of antitumor-active therapeutics.A significant route of phase II drug metabolism is conjugation with glutathione(GSH),which can be non-enzymatic and/or catalyzed by GSH-dependent enzymes.The aim of this work was to investigate the GSHmediated metabolic pathway of a representative UA,C-2028.GSH-supplemented incubations of C-2028 with rat,but not with human,liver cytosol led to the formation of a single GSH-related metabolite.Interestingly,it was also revealed with rat liver microsomes.Its formation was NADPH-independent and was not inhibited by co-incubation with the cytochrome P450(CYP450) inhibitor 1-aminobenzotriazole.Therefore,the direct conjugation pathway occurred without the prior CYP450-catalyzed bioactivation of the substrate.In turn,incubations of C-2028 and GSH with human recombinant glutathione S-transferase(GST) P1-1 or with heat-/ethacrynic acid-inactivated liver cytosolic enzymes resulted in the presence or lack of GSH conjugated form,respectively.These findings proved the necessary participation of GST in the initial activation of the GSH thiol group to enable a nucleophilic attack on the substrate molecule.Another C-2028-GSH S-conjugate was also formed during non-enzymatic reaction.Both GSH S-conjugates were characterized by combined liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.Mechanisms for their formation were proposed.The ability of C-2028 to GST-mediated and/or direct GSH conjugation is suspected to be clinically important.This may affect the patient’s drug clearance due to GST activity,loss of GSH,or the interactions with GSH-conjugated drugs.Moreover,GST-mediated depletion of cellular GSH may increase tumor cell exposure to reactive products of UA metabolic transformations.