Biomedical subjects

B Mannervik

Publications and source records attributed to B Mannervik.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Detoxication of carcinogenic fjord-region diol epoxides of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by glutathione transferase P1-1 variants and glutathione.

Epidemiological studies suggest that individuals differing in the expression of allelic variants of the human glutathione transferase (GST) Pi gene differ in susceptibility to chemical carcinogens such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). This study reports the catalytic efficiencies (k(cat)/Km) of two naturally occurring variants, GSTP1-1/I-105 and GSTP1-1/ V-105, towards a series of fjord-region diol epoxides representing potent biologically active PAH metabolites, and two GSTP1-1 mutants with Ala105 and Trp105 in the active site. The results indicate that individuals who are homozygous for the allele encoding GSTP1-1/V-105 might be more susceptible to PAH carcinogenesis due to other reasons than a reduced capacity for detoxifying diol epoxides.

Carcinogens↗

PubMed1998

Involvement of an active-site Zn2+ ligand in the catalytic mechanism of human glyoxalase I.

The Zn2+ ligands glutamate 99 and glutamate 172 in the active site of human glyoxalase I were replaced, each in turn, by glutamines by site-directed mutagenesis to elucidate their potential significance for the catalytic properties of the enzyme. To compensate for the loss of the charged amino acid residue, another of the metal ligands, glutamine 33, was simultaneously mutated into glutamate. The double mutants and the single mutants Q33E, E99Q, and E172Q were expressed in Escherichia coli, purified on an S-hexylglutathione matrix, and characterized. Metal analysis demonstrated that mutant Q33E/E172Q contained 1.0 mol of zinc/mol of enzyme subunit, whereas mutant Q33E/E99Q contained only 0.3 mol of zinc/mol of subunit. No catalytic activity could be detected with the double mutant Q33E/E172Q (<10(-8) of the wild-type activity). The second double mutant Q33E/E99Q had 1.5% of the specific activity of the wild-type enzyme, whereas the values for mutants Q33E and E99Q were 1.3 and 0. 1%, respectively; the E172Q mutant had less than 10(-5) times the specific activity of the wild-type. The crystal structure of the catalytically inactive double mutant Q33E/E172Q demonstrated that Zn2+ was bound without any gross changes or perturbations. The results suggest that the metal ligand glutamate 172 is directly involved in the catalytic mechanism of the enzyme, presumably serving as the base that abstracts a proton from the hemithioacetal substrate.

Binding Sites↗

PubMed1998

Tumor efficacy and bone marrow-sparing properties of TER286, a cytotoxin activated by glutathione S-transferase.

TER286 is a latent drug activated by human glutathione S-transferase (GST) isoforms P1-1 and A1-1 to produce a nitrogen mustard alkylating agent. M7609 human colon carcinoma, selected for resistance to doxorubicin, and MCF-7 human breast carcinoma, selected for resistance to cyclophosphamide, both showed increased sensitivity to TER286 over their parental lines in parallel with increased expression of GST P1-1. In primary human tumor clonogenic assays, the spectrum of cytotoxic activity observed for TER286 was both broad and unusual when compared to a variety of current drugs. In murine xenografts of M7609 engineered to have high, medium, or low GST P1-1, responses to TER286 were positively correlated with the level of P1-1. Cytotoxicity was also observed in several other cell culture and xenograft models. In xenografts of the MX-1 human breast carcinoma, tumor growth inhibition or regression was observed in nearly all of the animals treated with an aggressive regimen of five daily doses. This schedule resulted in a 24-h posttreatment decline in bone marrow progenitors to 60% of control and was no worse than for a single dose of TER286. These studies have motivated election of TER286 as a clinical candidate.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase activity of human glutathione transferases.

Human glutathione transferases (GSTs) from Alpha (A), Mu (M) and Theta (T) classes exhibited glutathione peroxidase activity towards phospholipid hydroperoxide. The specific activities are in the order: GST A1-1>GST T1-1>GST M1-1>GST A2-2>GST A4-4. Using a specific and sensitive HPLC method, specific activities towards the phospholipid hydroperoxide,1-palmitoyl-2-(13-hydroper oxy-cis-9, trans-11 -octadecadienoyl)-l-3-phosphatidylcholine (PLPC-OOH) were determined to be in the range of 0.8-20 nmol/min per mg of protein. Two human class Pi (P) enzymes (GST P1-1 with Ile or Val at position 105) displayed no activity towards the phospholipid hydroperoxide. Michaelis-Menten kinetics were followed only for glutathione, whereas there was a linear dependence of rate with PLPC-OOH concentration. Unlike the selenium-dependent phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (Se-PHGPx), the presence of detergent inhibited the activity of GST A1-1 on PLPC-OOH. Also, in contrast with Se-PHGPx, only glutathione could act as the reducing agent for GST A1-1. A GST A1-1 mutant (Arg15Lys), which retains the positive charge between the GSH- and hydrophobic binding sites, exhibited a decreased kcat for PLPC-OOH but not for CDNB, suggesting that the correct topography of the GSH site is more critical for the phospholipid substrate. A Met208Ala mutation, which gives a modified hydrophobic site, decreased the kcat for CDNB and PLPC-OOH by comparable amounts. These results indicate that Alpha, Mu and Theta class human GSTs provide protection against accumulation of cellular phospholipid hydroperoxides.

Binding Sites↗

PubMed1998

Structure-activity relationships and thermal stability of human glutathione transferase P1-1 governed by the H-site residue 105.

Human glutathione transferase P1-1 (GSTP1-1) is polymorphic in amino acid residue 105, positioned in the substrate binding H-site. To elucidate the role of this residue an extensive characterization of GSTP1-1/Ile105 and GSTP1-1/Val105 was performed. Mutant enzymes with altered volume and hydrophobicity of residue 105, GSTP1-1/Ala105 and GSTP1-1/Trp105, were constructed and included in the study. Steady-state kinetic parameters and specific activities were determined using a panel of electrophilic substrates, with the aim of covering different types of reaction mechanisms. Analysis of the steady-state kinetic parameters indicates that the effect of the substitution of the amino acid in position 105 is highly dependent on substrate used. When 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene was used as substrate a change in the side-chain of residue 105 seemed primarily to cause changes in the KM value, while the kcat value was not distinctively affected. With other substrates, such as 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole and ethacrynic acid both kcat and KM values were altered by the substitution of amino acid 105. The constant for formation of the sigma-complex between 1,3, 5-trinitrobenzene and glutathione was shown to be dependent upon the volume of the amino acid in position 105. The nature of the amino acid in position 105 was also shown to affect the thermal stability of the enzyme at 50 degrees C, indicating an important role for this residue in the stabilization of the enzyme. The GSTP1-1/Ile105 variant was approximately two to three times more stable than the Val105 variant as judged by their half-lives. The presence of glutathione in the incubation buffer afforded a threefold increase in the half-lives of the enzymes. Thus, the thermal stability of the enzyme and depending on substrate, both KM values and turnover numbers are influenced by substitutions in position 105 of GSTP1-1.

Binding Sites↗

PubMed1998

An evolutionary approach to the design of glutathione-linked enzymes.

Studies of protein structure provide information about principles of protein design that have come into play in natural evolution. This information can be exploited in the redesign of enzymes for novel functions. The glutathione-binding domain of glutathione transferases has similarities with structures in other glutathione-linked proteins, such as glutathione peroxidases and thioredoxin (glutaredoxin), suggesting divergent evolution from a common ancestral protein fold. In contrast, the binding site for glutathione in human glyoxalase I is located at the interface between the two identical subunits of the protein. Comparison with the homologous, but monomeric, yeast glyoxalase I suggests that new domains have originated through gene duplications, and that the oligomeric structure of the mammalian glyoxalase I has arisen by 'domain swapping'. Recombinant DNA techniques are being used for the redesign of glutathione-linked proteins in attempts to create binding proteins with novel functions and catalysts with tailored specificities. Enzymes with desired properties are selected from libraries of variant structures by use of phage display and functional assays.

Binding Sites↗

PubMed1998

Human glutathione transferase A4-4: an alpha class enzyme with high catalytic efficiency in the conjugation of 4-hydroxynonenal and other genotoxic products of lipid peroxidation.

A sequence encoding a novel glutathione transferase, GST A4-4, has been identified in a human fetal brain cDNA library. The protein has been produced in Escherichia coli after optimization of the codon usage for high-level heterologous expression. The dimeric protein has a subunit molecular mass of 25704 Da based on the deduced amino acid composition. Human GST A4-4 is a member of the Alpha class but shows only 53% amino acid sequence identity with the major liver enzyme GST A1-1. High catalytic efficiency with 4-hydroxyalkenals and other cytotoxic and mutagenic products of radical reactions and lipid peroxidation is a significant feature of GST A4-4. The kcat/Km values for 4-hydroxynonenal and 4-hydroxydecenal are > 3 x 10(6) M-1. s-1, several orders of magnitude higher than the values for conventional GST substrates. 4-Hydroxynonenal and other reactive electrophiles produced by oxidative metabolism have been linked to aging, atherosclerosis, cataract formation, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, as well as other degenerative human conditions, suggesting that human GST A4-4 fulfills an important protective role and that variations in its expression may have significant pathophysiological consequences.

Aldehydes↗

PubMed1998

Differences in the catalytic efficiencies of allelic variants of glutathione transferase P1-1 towards carcinogenic diol epoxides of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Previous studies have identified allelic variants of the human glutathione transferase (GST) Pi gene and showed that the two different encoded proteins with isoleucine (GSTP1-1/I-105) or valine (GSTP1-1/V-105) at position 105, respectively, differ significantly in their catalytic activities with model substrates. Moreover, recent epidemiological studies have demonstrated that individuals differing in the expression of these allelic variants also differ in susceptibility to tumour formation in certain organs, including such in which polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) may be etiological factors. In the present study the catalytic efficiencies (kcat/Km) of these GSTP1-1 variants were determined with a number of stereoisomeric bay-region diol epoxides, known as the ultimate mutagenic and carcinogenic metabolites of PAH, including those from chrysene, benzo[a]pyrene and dibenz[a,h]anthracene. In addition, GSTP1-1 mutants in which amino residue 105 is alanine (GSTP1-1/A-105) or tryptophan (GSTP1-1/W-105) have been constructed and characterized. GSTP1-1/V-105 was found to be more active than GSTP1-1/I-105 in conjugation reactions with the bulky diol epoxides of PAH, being up to 3-fold as active towards the anti- and syn-diol epoxide enantiomers with R-absolute configuration at the benzylic oxiranyl carbon. Comparing the four enzyme variants, GSTP1-1/A-105 generally demonstrated the highest kcat/Km value and GSTP1-1/W-105 the lowest with the anti-diol epoxides. A close correlation was observed between the volume occupied by the amino acid residue at position 105 and the value of kcat/Km. With the syn-diol epoxides, such a correlation was observed with alanine, valine and isoleucine, whereas tryptophan was associated with increased kcat/Km values. The mutational replacement of isoleucine with alanine or tryptophan at position 105 did not alter the enantio selectivity of the GSTP1-1 variants compared with the naturally occurring allelic variants GSTP1-1/I-105 and GSTP1-1/V-105. Since the amino acid at position 105 forms part of the substrate binding site (H-site) the effect of increasing bulkiness is expected to cause restricted access of the diol epoxide and proper alignment of the two reactants for efficient glutathionylation. In conclusion, the present study indicates that individuals who are homozygous for the allele GSTP1* B (coding for GSTP1-1/V-105) display a higher susceptibility to malignancy because of other factors than a decreased catalytic efficiency of GSTP1-1/V-105 in the detoxication of carcinogenic diol epoxides of benzo[a]pyrene or structurally related PAH.

7,8-Dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene 9,10-oxide↗

PubMed1997

Kinetic characterization of recombinant human glutathione transferase T1-1, a polymorphic detoxication enzyme.

Recombinant human theta class glutathione transferase T1-1 has been heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli and a simple purification method involving immobilized ferric ion affinity chromatography and Orange A dye chromatography is described. The catalytic properties of the enzyme differ significantly from those of other glutathione transferases, also within the theta class, with respect to both substrate selectivity and kinetic parameters. In addition to 1,2-epoxy-3-(4-nitrophenoxy)propane, the substrate used previously to monitor the enzyme, human glutathione transferase T1-1 has activity with the naturally occurring phenethylisothiocyanate and also displays glutathione peroxidase activity with cumene hydroperoxide. Further, the enzyme is active with 4-nitrobenzyl chloride and 4-nitrophenethyl bromide, but shows no detectable activity with the more chemically reactive 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. The Michaelis constant for glutathione, K(m)GSH, with 1,2-epoxy-3-(4-nitrophenoxy)propane as second substrate, is high at low pH values but decreases at higher pH values. This is mirrored in kcat/K(m)GSH which increases with an apparent pKa value of 9.0, reflecting the ionization of the thiol group of glutathione in solution. The same results are obtained with 4-nitrophenethyl bromide as electrophilic substrate, although the K(m)GSH value (0.72 mM at pH 7.5), as well as the pKa (8.1) derived from the pH dependence of kcat/K(m)GSH, are lower with this substrate. In contrast, kcat and kcat/K(m)electrophile display either a maximum or a plateau at pH 7.0-7.5, and an apparent pKa value of 5.7 was determined for the pH dependence of kcat with both 4-nitrophenethyl bromide and 1,2-epoxy-3-(4-nitrophenoxy)propane as electrophilic substrates. This pKa value reflects an ionization of enzyme-bound GSH, most probably involving the sulfhydryl group, whose pKa value thus is lowered by the enzyme. Three differences in the cDNA as compared to the sequence previously published were found. One of these differences causes a change in the deduced amino acid sequence and involves the nucleotide triplet encoding amino acid 126, which was determined as GAG (Glu), instead of the published GGG (Gly).

Chromatography, Affinity↗

PubMed1997

Mutagenesis of residue 157 in the active site of human glyoxalase I.

Met-157 in the active site of human glyoxalase I was changed by site-directed mutagenesis into alanine, glutamine or histidine in order to evaluate its possible role in catalysis. The glyoxalase I mutants were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified on an S-hexylglutathione affinity gel. The physicochemical properties of the mutant proteins were similar to those of the wild-type enzyme. The glutamine mutant exhibited the same high specific activity as wild-type glyoxalase I, whereas the alanine and histidine mutants had approx. 20% of wild-type activity. The kcat/Km values of the mutant glyoxalase I determined with the hemithioacetal adduct of glutathione and methylglyoxal were reduced to between 10 and 40% of the wild-type value. This reduction was due to lower kcat values for the alanine and histidine mutants and a twofold increase in the Km value for the glutamine mutant. With the hemithioacetal of glutathione and phenylglyoxal, the kinetic parameters of the mutants were also of the same magnitude as those of wild-type glyoxalase I. Studies with the competitive inhibitors S-hexyl- and S-benzyl-glutathione revealed that the affinity was reduced to 7-11% of the wild-type affinity for the glutamine and alanine mutants and to 30-40% for the histidine mutant, as measured by a comparison of Ki values. The results show that Met-157 has no direct role in catalysis, but is rather involved in forming the substrate-binding site of human glyoxalase I. The high activity of the glutamine mutant suggests that a structurally equivalent glutamine residue in the N-terminal half of Saccharomyces cerevisiae glyoxalase I may be part of a catalytically competent active site.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1997

Evidence for redox regulation of the transcription factor NtcA, acting both as an activator and a repressor, in the cyanobacterium Anabaena PCC 7120.

NtcA has been identified as a nitrogen-responsive regulatory protein required for nitrogen assimilation and heterocyst differentiation in cyanobacteria. It is proposed that NtcA functions through the formation of DNA-protein complexes with its specific target sequence within the promoter regions of the regulated genes. In vitro, NtcA of Anabaena PCC 7120 binds to upstream regions of the genes whose products are involved in nitrogen assimilation, but also to the upstream region of rbcLS (carbon-fixation gene), xisA (encoding a site-specific recombinase expressed during heterocyst differentiation) and ntcA (encoding NtcA itself). However, the mechanism by which NtcA serves as a critical regulator for such diverse processes is not understood. With the use of electrophoretic mobility shift assays, NtcA from Anabaena PCC 7120 was here shown to interact with the promoter sequence of the gor gene, encoding glutathione reductase, thereby providing a novel example of NtcA's acting as a repressor, previously found only for the rbcLS gene. Furthermore we demonstrate that the binding of DNA by NtcA is regulated in vitro by a redox-dependent mechanism involving cysteine residues of the NtcA protein. These findings suggest that NtcA is a transcriptional regulator that responds not only to the nitrogen status but also to the cellular redox status, a function that might be particularly significant during heterocyst differentiation.

Anabaena↗

PubMed1997

The conserved N-capping box in the hydrophobic core of glutathione S-transferase P1-1 is essential for refolding. Identification of a buried and conserved hydrogen bond important for protein stability.

The second domain of cytosolic glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) contains a strictly conserved N-capping box motif (Ser/Thr-Xaa-Xaa-Asp) at the beginning of alpha6-helix in the hydrophobic core of the molecule. Considering the specific function attributed to capping box residues in the helix nucleation, we decided to investigate, by site-directed mutagenesis, the role that this motif could have in the folding and stability of human GSTP1-1. Both capping box mutants, S150A and D153A, were significantly more thermolabile than wild-type GSTP1-1, indicating that the local destabilization of the alpha6-helix determined by a single capping residue mutation affects the overall stability of the protein. The results also show that, in addition to capping interactions, an important role in the stability of the final structure of the protein is played by a buried and conserved hydrogen bond formed between the side chain of Asp-153 and the amide NH of Ile-144 located in the long loop preceding alpha6-helix. Reactivation experiments in vitro indicate that the N-capping box is essential for refolding of the denatured protein at a physiological temperature. The results suggest that during folding this buried and conserved motif, making a definite set of native-like contacts, determines the formation of a specific folding nucleus that probably represents a transition state of the folding process.

Circular Dichroism↗

PubMed1997

Mechanism-based phage display selection of active-site mutants of human glutathione transferase A1-1 catalyzing SNAr reactions.

A library of active-site mutants has been constructed by targeting selected amino acid residues in human glutathione transferase (GST) A1-1 for random mutagenesis. The mutated residues are suitably positioned for interaction with the second, electrophilic substrate, in particular chloronitrobenzene derivatives undergoing SNAr reactions. DNA representing the GST A1-1 mutant library was fused with DNA encoding gene III protein, a component of the coat of filamentous phage. Phage display was used for affinity selection of GST A1-1 mutants with altered catalytic properties. The affinity ligand used was the sigma-complex of 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene and glutathione immobilized to Sepharose. The complex was designed to mimic the transition state of SNAr reactions catalyzed by GSTs. The selection system is based on the combination of affinity for the sigma-complex as well as the ability to promote its formation, thus mimicking two salient features of the assumed catalytic mechanism for the SNAr reactions. Many of the GST A1-1 mutants selected and analyzed contained an aromatic amino acid residue in one of the mutated positions, suggesting favorable interactions with the trinitrocyclohexadienate moiety of the affinity ligand. A mutant C36 was selected for more detailed studies. Its catalytic efficiency with several chloronitrobenzene substrates was 20-90-fold lower than that of wild-type GST A1-1, but fully comparable to naturally evolved GSTs of different classes, providing a 10(5)-fold rate enhancement over the uncatalyzed reaction. In the conjugation of ethacrynic acid, a Michael addition reaction, mutant C36 was 13-fold more efficient than the wild-type enzyme. Within experimental error, the quotient between the KF values for wild-type GST A1-1 and mutant C36 is the same as that between the kcat/KM values determined with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene for the two enzyme forms. This result indicates that sigma-complex formation is rate-limiting for the catalyzed reaction. Thus, the principle of transition-state stabilization as a component of catalysis has been successfully exploited in affinity selection of catalytically competent GST A1-1 mutants. This mechanism-based procedure also selects for the ability to promote sigma-complex formation, and serves as a probe of the catalytic mechanism.

Bacteriophages↗

PubMed1997

Reduction of thymine hydroperoxide by phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase and glutathione transferases.

Thymine hydroperoxide (5-hydroperoxymethyluracil), a model compound representing products of oxidative damage to DNA, is a substrate for glutathione peroxidase and some isoforms of glutathione transferase. In this paper, we show that selenium-dependent human phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (Se-PHGPx) exhibits about four orders of magnitude higher activity on thymine hydroperoxide than that of other human enzymes such as selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase and various representatives of glutathione transferases. The results indicate that Se-PHGPx may be an important enzyme in repairing oxidatively damaged DNA.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Crystal structure of human glyoxalase I--evidence for gene duplication and 3D domain swapping.

The zinc metalloenzyme glyoxalase I catalyses the glutathione-dependent inactivation of toxic methylglyoxal. The structure of the dimeric human enzyme in complex with S-benzyl-glutathione has been determined by multiple isomorphous replacement (MIR) and refined at 2.2 A resolution. Each monomer consists of two domains. Despite only low sequence homology between them, these domains are structurally equivalent and appear to have arisen by a gene duplication. On the other hand, there is no structural homology to the 'glutathione binding domain' found in other glutathione-linked proteins. 3D domain swapping of the N- and C-terminal domains has resulted in the active site being situated in the dimer interface, with the inhibitor and essential zinc ion interacting with side chains from both subunits. Two structurally equivalent residues from each domain contribute to a square pyramidal coordination of the zinc ion, rarely seen in zinc enzymes. Comparison of glyoxalase I with other known structures shows the enzyme to belong to a new structural family which includes the Fe2+-dependent dihydroxybiphenyl dioxygenase and the bleomycin resistance protein. This structural family appears to allow members to form with or without domain swapping.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1997

Glutathione transferases catalyse the detoxication of oxidized metabolites (o-quinones) of catecholamines and may serve as an antioxidant system preventing degenerative cellular processes.

o-Quinones are physiological oxidation products of catecholamines that contribute to redox cycling, toxicity and apoptosis, i.e. the neurodegenerative processes underlying Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia. The present study shows that the cyclized o-quinones aminochrome, dopachrome, adrenochrome and noradrenochrome, derived from dopamine, dopa, adrenaline and noradrenaline respectively, are efficiently conjugated with glutathione in the presence of human glutathione transferase (GST) M2-2. The oxidation product of adrenaline, adrenochrome, is less active as a substrate for GST M2-2, and more efficiently conjugated by GST M1-1. Evidence for expression of GST M2-2 in substantia nigra of human brain was obtained by identification of the corresponding PCR product in a cDNA library. Glutathione conjugation of these quinones is a detoxication reaction that prevents redox cycling, thus indicating that GSTs have a cytoprotective role involving elimination of reactive chemical species originating from the oxidative metabolism of catecholamines. In particular, GST M2-2 has the capacity to provide protection relevant to the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.

Adrenochrome↗

PubMed1997

Characterization of a marsupial glutathione transferase, a class Alpha enzyme from Brown Antechinus (Antechinus stuartii).

The major form of glutathione transferase from the marsupial Antechinus stuartii has been purified and characterized as an Alpha class enzyme (Ast GST A1-1) with distant sequence relationships to other class Alpha sublines, compatible with the early origin of marsupials. Amino acid replacements toward the closest enzyme characterized (chicken, form A3) involve no less than 79 positions (36%). At the active site, as deduced from comparisons with the known tertiary structure of the corresponding human enzyme, over half of the residues (8 of 15) ascribed to substrate binding interactions are exchanged although the general character of that site is conserved, while only 1 of 11 positions ascribed to interactions with GSH is exchanged. Class variability and species variability appear to coincide, with divergent segments centering around positions 33-49, 103-130 and 205-222. The pattern is reminiscent of that in similarly multiple MDR alcohol dehydrogenases. Both these enzyme families involved in cellular defense reactions have diverged considerably.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1997

Conjugation of highly reactive aflatoxin B1 exo-8,9-epoxide catalyzed by rat and human glutathione transferases: estimation of kinetic parameters.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) exo-8,9-epoxide, the reactive product of the hepatocarcinogen AFB1, is stable in aprotic solvents but hydrolyzes rapidly in H2O at 25 degrees C and pH 7 (t1/2 = 1 s). However, it is also known that some glutathione (GSH) transferases can conjugate the epoxide with GSH to give the adduct in high yield. We developed an approach to estimating kinetic parameters for reactions involving this epoxide or other substrates that are unstable to H2O. Varying concentrations of the (anhydrous) epoxide and GSH transferase were mixed and the GSH conjugates were measured. The final concentrations of product were known for each set of the starting epoxide and enzyme concentrations in a modeling approach, where the competition with the hydrolysis reaction is considered with two variables, a K for binding of the enzyme and epoxide and a rate k2, which includes microscopic steps following complex formation and resulting in conjugate formation. The ratio k2/K, a measure of enzyme efficiency, varied among individual recombinant GSH transferases in the the order (rat) 10-10 >> 3-3 > (human) M1-1 > T1-1 > A1-1 > P1-1 > A2-2, from 3 x 10(6) to 10 M(-1) s(-1). The high ratio of M1-1 among the human GSH transferase enzymes tested is consistent with other work in which GSH-AFB1 conjugates were not detected in hepatocytes with an M1 null polymorphism. This general kinetic approach should be applicable to estimation of kinetic parameters involved in the interaction of other unstable substrates with enzymes.

Aflatoxin B1↗