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Blocking factors and the isolation of glutathione transferases from Hymenolepis diminuta (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea).

Four acidic glutathione (GSH) transferase forms were isolated from the cytosol of the adult cestode Hymenolepis diminuta by hydroxylapatite chromatography, glutathione-affinity chromatography and chromatofocusing, pH 7-5. The enzymes were dimers of subunit size approximately 24 kDa and accounted for at least 3% of the total soluble protein. The major GSH transferase had limited catalytic activity but may interact with a range of ligands and function as a binding/passive detoxification protein. An endogenous factor interfered with the binding of the crude cytosolic GSH transferase activity to glutathione-dependent affinity matrices but, following partial purification, the GSH transferase activity successfully interacted with the glutathione affinity matrix.

Animals↗

Sulfhydryl modification of the yeast Wbp1p inhibits oligosaccharyl transferase activity.

Chemical labeling of the multimeric Saccharomyces cerevisiae oligosaccharyl transferase indicates that the 48 kDa Wbp1p subunit is an integral component of the catalytically active enzyme. The enzyme was purified following chromatography on concanavalin A agarose, heparin agarose, Q-Sepharose, and hydroxyapatite media. The enzyme activity copurified with a tetrameric complex of polypeptide subunits. Two of the subunits have been identified as the yeast proteins Wbp1p and Swp1p by amino-terminal residue sequencing. A third subunit was identified as a variably glycosylated polypeptide near 64 kDa; preliminary amino acid sequencing showed no identity to known yeast proteins. Modification of a cysteine residue by the reagent methyl methanethiolsulfonate (MMTS) caused time-dependent and concentration-dependent inactivation of the enzyme. To identify the modified subunit of the transferase complex, the labeling reagent S-[(N-biotinoylamino)ethyl] methanethiolsulfonate (BMTS) was synthesized. Like MMTS, BMTS inactivated the oligosaccharyl transferase in a time-dependent manner. Additionally, incubation with the substrate (dolichylpyrophosphoryl)-N,N'-diacetylchitobiose [Dol-PP(GlcNAc)2] protected the enzyme from BMTS inactivation. When the purified enzyme complex was incubated with BMTS, Wbp1p alone was specifically labeled, thereby associating this subunit with catalysis and the binding of the dolichylpyrophosphoryl oligosaccharide substrate in the transferase reaction.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Stereochemistry of the microsomal glutathione S-transferase catalyzed addition of glutathione to chlorotrifluoroethene.

The stereochemistry of S-(2-chloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethyl)glutathione formation was studied in rat liver cytosol, microsomes, N-ethylmaleimide-treated microsomes, 9000g supernatant fractions, purified rat liver microsomal glutathione S-transferase, and isolated rat hepatocytes. The absolute configuration of the chiral center generated by the addition of glutathione to chlorotrifluoroethene was determined by degradation of S-(2-chloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethyl)glutathione to chlorofluoroacetic acid, followed by derivatization to form the diastereomeric amides N-(S)-alpha-methylbenzyl-(S)-chlorofluoacetamide and N-(S)-alpha-methylbenzyl-(R)-chlorofluoroacetamide, which were separated by gas chromatography. Native and N-ethylmaleimide-treated rat liver microsomes, purified rat liver microsomal glutathione S-transferase, rat liver 9000g supernatant, and isolated rat hepatocytes catalyzed the formation of 75-81% (2S)-S-(2-chloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethyl)glutathione; rat liver cytosol catalyzed the formation of equal amounts of (2R)- and (2S)-S-(2-chloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethyl)glutathione. In rat hepatocytes, microsomal glutathione S-transferase catalyzed the formation of 83% of the total S-(2-chloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethyl)glutathione formed. These observations show that the microsomal glutathione S-transferase catalyzes the first step in the intracellular, glutathione-dependent bioactivation of the nephrotoxin chlorotrifluoroethene.

Animals↗

Properties and utility of the peculiar mixed disulfide in the bacterial glutathione transferase B1-1.

Bacterial glutathione transferases appear to represent an evolutionary link between the thiol:disulfide oxidoreductase and glutathione transferase superfamilies. In particular, the observation of a mixed disulfide in the active site of Proteus mirabilis glutathione transferase B1-1 is a feature that links the two families. This peculiar mixed disulfide between Cys10 and one GSH molecule has been studied by means of ESR spectroscopy, stopped-flow kinetic analysis, radiochemistry, and site-directed mutagenesis. This disulfide can be reduced by dithiothreitol but even a thousand molar excess of GSH is poorly effective due to an unfavorable equilibrium constant of the redox reaction (K(eq) = 2 x 10(-4)). Although Cys10 is partially buried in the crystal structure, in solution it reacts with several thiol reagents at a higher or comparable rate than that shown by the free cysteine. Kinetics of the reaction of Cys10 with 4,4'-dithiodipyridine at variable pH values is consistent with a pK(a) of 8.0 +/- 0.1 for this residue, a value about 1 unit lower than that of the free cysteine. The 4,4'-dithiodipyridine-modified enzyme reacts with GSH in a two-step mechanism involving a fast precomplex formation, followed by a slower chemical step. The natural Cys10-GSH mixed disulfide exchanges rapidly with free [3H]GSH in a futile redox cycle in which the bound GSH is continuously replaced by the external GSH. Our data suggest that the active site of the bacterial enzyme has intermediate properties between those of the recently evolved glutathione transferases and those of the thiol:disulfide oxidoreductase superfamily.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Structure of the mammalian CoA transferase from pig heart.

Ketoacidosis affects patients who are deficient in the enzyme activity of succinyl-CoA:3-ketoacid CoA transferase (SCOT), since SCOT catalyses the activation of acetoacetate in the metabolism of ketone bodies. Thus far, structure/function analysis of the mammalian enzyme has been predicted based on the three-dimensional structure of a CoA transferase determined from an anaerobic bacterium that utilizes its enzyme for glutamate fermentation. To better interpret clinical data, we have determined the structure of a mammalian CoA transferase from pig heart by X-ray crystallography to 2.5 A resolution. Instrumental to the structure determination were selenomethionine substitution and the use of argon during purification and crystallization. Although pig heart SCOT adopts an alpha/beta protein fold, resembling the overall fold of the bacterial CoA transferase, several loops near the active site of pig heart SCOT follow different paths than the corresponding loops in the bacterial enzyme, accounting for differences in substrate specificities. Two missense mutations found associated with SCOT of ketoacidosis patients were mapped to a location in the structure that might disrupt the stabilization of the amino-terminal strand and thereby interfere with the proper folding of the protein into a functional enzyme.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

SPARK--a novel method to monitor ribosomal peptidyl transferase activity.

The key enzymatic activity of the ribosome is catalysis of peptide bond formation. This reaction is a target for many clinically important antibiotics. However, the molecular mechanisms of the peptidyl transfer reaction, the catalytic contribution of the ribosome, and the mechanisms of antibiotic action are still poorly understood. Here we describe a novel, simple, convenient, and sensitive method for monitoring peptidyl transferase activity (SPARK). In this method, the ribosomal peptidyl transferase forms a peptide bond between two ligands, one of which is tritiated whereas the other is biotin-tagged. Transpeptidation results in covalent attachment of the biotin moiety to a tritiated compound. The amount of the reaction product is then directly quantified using the scintillation proximity assay technology: binding of the tritiated radioligand to the commercially available streptavidin-coated beads causes excitation of the bead-embedded scintillant, resulting in detection of radioactivity. The reaction is readily inhibited by known antibiotics, inhibitors of peptide bond formation. The method we developed is amenable to simple automation which makes it useful for screening for new antibiotics. The method is useful for different types of ribosomal research. Using this method, we investigated the effect of mutations at a universally conserved nucleotide of the active site of 23S rRNA, A2602 (Escherichia coli numbering), on the peptidyl transferase activity of the ribosome. The activities of the in vitro reconstituted mutant subunits, though somewhat reduced, were comparable with those of the subunits assembled with the wild-type 23S rRNA, indicating that A2602 mutations do not abolish the ability of the ribosome to catalyze peptide bond formation. Similar results were obtained with double mutants carrying mutations at A2602 and another universally conserved nucleotide in the peptidyl transferase center, A2451. The obtained results agree with our previous conclusion that the ribosome accelerates peptide bond formation primarily through entropic rather than chemical catalysis.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Uncovering the enzymatic pKa of the ribosomal peptidyl transferase reaction utilizing a fluorinated puromycin derivative.

The ribosome-catalyzed peptidyl transferase reaction displays a complex pH profile resulting from two functional groups whose deprotonation is important for the reaction, one within the A-site substrate and a second unidentified group thought to reside in the rRNA peptidyl transferase center. Here we report the synthesis and activity of the beta,beta-difluorophenylalanyl derivative of puromycin, an A-site substrate. The fluorine atoms reduce the pK(a) of the nucleophilic alpha-amino group (<5.0) such that it is deprotonated at all pHs amenable to ribosomal analysis (pH 5.2-9.5). In the 50S modified fragment assay, this substrate reacts substantially faster than puromycin at neutral or acidic pH. The reaction follows a simplified pH profile that is dependent only upon deprotonation of a titratable group within the ribosomal active site. This feature will simplify characterization of the peptidyl transferase reaction mechanism. On the basis of the reaction efficiency of the doubly fluorinated substrate compared to the unfluorinated derivative, the Bronsted coefficient for the nucleophile is estimated to be substantially smaller than that reported for uncatalyzed aminolysis reactions, which has important mechanistic implications for the peptidyl transferase reaction.

Catalysis↗

Crystal structure of Escherichia coli crotonobetainyl-CoA: carnitine CoA-transferase (CaiB) and its complexes with CoA and carnitinyl-CoA.

L-Carnitine (R-[-]-3-hydroxy-4-trimethylaminobutyrate) is found in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells and participates in diverse processes including long-chain fatty-acid transport and osmoprotection. The enzyme crotonobetainyl/gamma-butyrobetainyl-CoA:carnitine CoA-transferase (CaiB; E.C. 2.8.3.-) catalyzes the first step in carnitine metabolism, leading to the final product gamma-butyrobetaine. The crystal structures of Escherichia coli apo-CaiB, as well as its Asp169Ala mutant bound to CoA and to carnitinyl-CoA, have been determined and refined to 1.6, 2.4, and 2.4 A resolution, respectively. CaiB is composed of two identical circular chains that together form an intertwined dimer. Each monomer consists of a large domain, containing a Rossmann fold, and a small domain. The monomer and dimer resemble those of formyl-CoA transferase from Oxalobacter formigenes, as well as E. coli YfdW, a putative type-III CoA transferase of unknown function. The CoA cofactor-binding site is formed at the interface of the large domain of one monomer and the small domain from the second monomer. Most of the protein-CoA interactions are formed with the Rossmann fold domain. While the location of cofactor binding is similar in the three proteins, the specific CoA-protein interactions vary somewhat between CaiB, formyl-CoA transferase, and YfdW. CoA binding results in a change in the relative positions of the large and small domains compared with apo-CaiB. The observed carnitinyl-CoA product in crystals of the CaiB Asp169Ala mutant cocrystallized with crotonoyl-CoA and carnitine could result from (i) a catalytic mechanism involving a ternary enzyme-substrate complex, independent of a covalent anhydride intermediate with Asp169, (ii) a spontaneous reaction of the substrates in solution, followed by binding to the enzyme, or (iii) an involvement of another residue substituting functionally for Asp169, such as Glu23.

Apoenzymes↗

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↗

Effects of derivatives of kahweol and cafestol on the activity of glutathione S-transferase in mice.

The coffee constituents cafestol and kahweol are inducers of the activity of the detoxifying enzyme, glutathione S-transferase in laboratory animals. The two active functional groups, furan and glycol, on opposite ends of the diterpene nucleus of these two compounds have been modified. The resulting derivatives were evaluated for their ability to induce glutathione S-transferase activity in different tissues of the ICR/Ha mice. Derivatives of both cafestol and kahweol, which were the products of the modifications on the glycol function, retained much of the inducing properties of the parent compounds in the liver and mucosa of the small bowel. The effects of these compounds on the tissue acid-soluble sulfhydryl level, in general, were similar to those of the parent compounds. Some derivatives of kahweol, however, appeared to have lost their ability to induce increased levels of sulfhydryls in the liver. Catalytic hydrogenation of the furan moiety gave two products, the dihydro and tetrahydro derivatives. Both compounds and their corresponding acetates lost their effectiveness as inducers of glutathione S-transferase activity. In contrast, these compounds still retained their ability to induce increased levels of acid-soluble sulfhydryls in both the liver and the mucosa of the small bowel. These findings indicate that the furan moiety of cafestol and kahweol is vital to their biological activity as inducers of increased glutathione S-transferase activity.

Animals↗

Conjugation of haloalkanes by bacterial and mammalian glutathione transferases: mono- and dihalomethanes.

A primary route of metabolism of dihalomethanes occurs via glutathione (GSH) transferase-catalyzed conjugation. Mammalian theta class GSH transferases and a group of bacterial dichloromethane dehalogenases are able to catalyze the hydrolytic dehalogenation of dihalomethanes via GSH conjugation and subsequent formation of HCHO. Dihalomethanes have been shown to induce revertants in Salmonella typhimurium TA 1535 expressing theta class GSH transferases. Two mammalian theta class GSH transferases (rat GST 5-5 and human GST T1) and the bacterial dehalogenase DM11 were compared in the in vitro conjugation of CH(3)Cl and using in vitro assays (HCHO formation) and the S. typhimurium mutagenesis assay with the dihalomethanes CH(2)Cl(2), CH(2)Br(2), CH(2)BrCl, CH(2)ICl, CH(2)I(2), and CH(2)ClF. GSTs 5-5 and T1 had similar characteristics and exhibited first-order rather than Michaelis-Menten kinetics for HCHO formation over the range of dihalomethane concentrations tested. In contrast, the DM11 enzyme displayed typical hyperbolic Michaelis-Menten kinetics for all of the compounds tested. A similar pattern was observed for the conjugation of CH(3)Cl. The reversion tests with S. typhimurium expressing DM11 or GST 5-5 showed a concentration-dependent increase in revertants for most of the dihalomethanes, and DM11 produced revertants at dihalomethane concentrations lower than GST 5-5. Collectively, the results indicate that rates of conversion of dihalomethanes to HCHO are not correlated with mutagenicity and that GSH conjugates are genotoxic. The results are compared with the conjugation and genotoxicity of haloethanes in the preceding paper in this issue [Wheeler, J. B., Stourman, N. V., Armstrong, R. N., and Guengerich, F. P. (2001) Chem. Res. Toxicol. 14, 1107-1117]. The halide order appears most important in the dihalomethane conjugation reactions catalyzed by GST 5-5 and less so in GST T1 and DM11, probably due to changes in the rate-limiting steps.

Animals↗

Formation and mass spectrometric analysis of DNA and nucleoside adducts by S-(1-acetoxymethyl)glutathione and by glutathione S-transferase-mediated activation of dihalomethanes.

The dihalomethane CH(2)Cl(2) is an industrial solvent of potential concern to humans because of its potential genotoxicity and carcinogenicity. To characterize DNA damage by dihalomethanes, a rapid DNA digestion under acidic conditions was developed to identify alkali labile DNA-dihalomethane nucleoside adducts using HPLC-electrospray mass spectrometry. DNA digestion worked best using pH 5.0 sodium acetate buffer, a 30 min incubation with DNase II and phosphodiesterase II, and a 2 h acid phosphatase digest. DNA was modified with S-(1-acetoxymethyl)glutathione (GSCH(2)OAc), a reagent modeling activated dihalomethanes. Adducts to G, A, and T were detected at high ratios of GSCH(2)OAc/DNA following digestion of the DNA with the procedure used here. The relative efficacy of adduct formation was G > T > A >> C. The four DNA nucleosides were also reacted with the dihalomethanes CH(2)Cl(2) and CH(2)Br(2) in the presence of glutathione (GSH) and GSH S-transferases from bacteria (DM11), rat (GST 5-5), and human (GST T1-1) under conditions that produce mutations in bacteria. All enzymes formed adducts to all four nucleosides, with dGuo being the most readily modified nucleoside. Thus, the pattern paralleled the results obtained with the model compounds GSCH(2)OAc and DNA. CH(2)Cl(2) and CH(2)Br(2) yielded similar amounts of adducts under these conditions. The relative efficiency of adduct formation by GSH transferases was rat 5-5 > human T1-1 > bacterial DM11, showing that human GSH transferase T1-1 can form dihalomethane adducts under the conditions used. Although the lability of DNA adducts has precluded more sophisticated experiments and in vivo studies have not yet been possible, the work collectively demonstrates the ability of several GSH transferases to generate DNA adducts from dihalomethanes, with G being the preferred site of adduction in both this and the GSCH(2)OAc model system.

Animals↗

Loss of acetoacetate coenzyme A transferase activity in tumours of peripheral tissues.

The presence of succinyl-coenzyme A: acetoacetate CoA--transferase (3-oxo acid-CoA transferase), an initiator of ketone body utilization in non-hepatic tissue was examined in a number of animal and human tumours of peripheral tissues. While enzyme levels in heart, kidney, lymphocytes and bladder were high, the tumours contained low or non-detectable levels of transferase activity, comparable with that of normal liver. The activities of acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase paralleled that of the transferase, except for the high activity in liver, and in all cases the tumour content of the enzyme was lower than that of the brain. The activity of 3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase was similar in both normal and tumour tissue. The results indicate that tumours of non-hepatic tissues may be unable to metabolize ketone-bodies and suggest a therapeutic strategy for selective starvation of the tumour by dietary modification.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗

Glutathione S-transferase activity and isoenzyme distribution in ovarian tumour biopsies taken before or after cytotoxic chemotherapy.

A study involving the measurement of glutathione S-transferase activities and isoenzyme distributions in human ovarian tumours has been carried out. These tumours have been obtained either at initial debulking surgery, prior to cytotoxic chemotherapy, or at second look laparotomy following chemotherapy. The response rates of these two groups to chemotherapy differ markedly, with patients who have relapsed following initial chemotherapy showing a reduction in response rates to subsequent chemotherapy. Analysis of these data show no statistically significant differences between the glutathione S-transferase activity or isoenzyme distribution in these two groups of patients. Significant differences were observed in the glutathione-S-transferase activities (GST) between tumours and normal ovaries. GST activities in pre-chemotherapy tumours (n = 33, P = 0.01) and post-chemotherapy tumours (n = 20, P = 0.001) where significantly higher than the GST activity in normal ovaries (n = 15). One feature was the expression of the basic isoenzyme which is expressed more in normal ovaries than in tumours. No differences in these parameters were observed in normal peritoneal tissue taken from patients before or after chemotherapy. These data do not support the hypothesis that changes in glutathione S-transferase enzyme activity or isoenzyme expression are major determinants of response to chemotherapy in ovarian tumours.

Adult↗

Glutathione-S-transferase activity and isoenzyme levels measured by two methods in ovarian cancer, and their value as markers of disease outcome.

A study has been carried out to investigate the cellular distribution and levels of glutathione-S-transferase isoenzymes (GST), acidic (pi), basic (alpha) and neutral (mu), in ovarian tumour biopsies, and to measure GST activity in the same tumour specimens. Two methods of assessing isoenzyme levels (immunohistochemistry and Western blot) were compared. Well-known important clinicopathological features were correlated with response to treatment, overall survival and progression-free survival for each of 97 patients from whom biopsies had been obtained. The glutathione-S-transferase isoenzyme levels were also correlated with overall and progression-free survival, and with the important clinicopathological features. As expected, there was a significant correlation between FIGO stage, histological grade of tumour, amount of residual disease after staging laparotomy, response to chemotherapy, and both overall and progression-free survival. Glutathione-S-transferase isoenzyme levels (acidic, basic and neutral) measured by Western blot were not found to be significantly correlated with any of the clinicopathological parameters tested. Using the immunohistochemistry method of detection there was a correlation between the GST acidic isoenzyme level and the amount of residual disease remaining after initial debulking surgery (higher levels were detected in the group with no residual disease, P=0.034), and also between the GST acidic isoenzyme level and the type of chemotherapy regimen used. Higher levels of the acidic isoenzyme were present in tumour biopsies taken from the patient group who had received a combination regimen (cyclophosphamide, carboplatin, ifosfamide and doxorubicin). The neutral and basic GST isoenzyme levels were not significantly correlated with any of the clinicopathological parameters. None of the GST isoenzyme levels were significantly correlated with response to treatment, overall survival or progression-free survival (using either method of detection). Similarly, glutathione transferase activity showed no significant correlation with prognosis or survival.

Adult↗

Characterization of cytochrome P450 and glutathione S-transferase activity and expression in male and female ob/ob mice.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the effect(s) of gender, age (glycemic status) and obese state, on hepatic biotransformation activities, expression of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) mRNAs and glutathione transferase activity in the ob/ob mouse. DESIGN: Male and female, ob/ob or ob/+ mice were killed at 3-4 months or 7-8 months of age. Hepatic microsomes, cytosol and RNA were prepared from each animal. ANIMALS: Male and female ob/ob and ob/+ mice, 3-4 or 7-8 months of age. MEASUREMENTS: CYP450 form-specific activities of CYP1A1/1A2, CYP3A and CYP2B were estimated by determining the 0-dealkylation of alkoxyresorufin substrates (ethoxy-EROD, benzoxy-BROD and pentoxy-resorufin, PROD, respectively). CYP2E1-dependent, 4-nitrophenol hydroxylase (PNP-OH) and CYP3A-dependent erythromycin N-demethylase (ERY-DM) were also measured in hepatic microsomes. CYP1A2, CYP2E1 and CYP3A protein in microsomal fractions was determined by ELISA. Glutathione transferase activity (GST) was determined in hepatic cytosol and CYP1A2 and CYP2E1 mRNA was estimated by Northern blot analysis. RESULTS: Female mice, regardless of glycemic status, showed an obesity enhanced level of CYP2E1-dependent PNP-OH activity and CYP2E1 protein as shown by ELISA. These increases were observed to be independent of the diabetic state, since 7-8 month-old mice had blood glucose levels identical to lean mice. The mRNA level of CYP2E1 in female mice also exhibited age-and obesity-influenced decreases in expression. No significant differences in CYP2E1 activity or expression were observed in male mice. CYP3A-dependent ERY-DM activity was significantly higher in young males, regardless of phenotype. CYP3A and CYP2B activities did not differ among any animals; however, CYP1A activity, while depressed in obese animals of both genders, was significantly different in old animals. Glutathione S-transferase activity was lower in obese male mice, whereas no difference was observed between lean and obese females CONCLUSION: This study supports earlier observations in man and rats that the obese state produces alterations in the expression of important oxidation and conjugation pathways. In addition, this report more thoroughly examines the role of gender and glycemic status on biotransformation activities in the ob/ob mouse as demonstrated by increased CYP2E1 protein and CYP2E1-dependent activity in obese females, decreased CYP1A2 protein and CYP1A2-dependent activity in obese animals, and obesity had no effect of glutathione transferase in female mice, in contrast with the previously reported obesity-dependent decrease of this activity in male mice.

Aging↗

Inhibition of glutathione S-transferase by bile acids.

The effects of bile acids on the detoxification of compounds by glutathione conjugation have been investigated. Bile acids were found to inhibit the total soluble-fraction glutathione S-transferase activity from rat liver, as assayed with four different acceptor substrates. Dihydroxy bile acids were more inhibitory than trihydroxy bile acids, and conjugated bile acids were generally less inhibitory than the parent bile acid. At physiological concentrations of bile acid, the glutathione S-transferase activity in the soluble fraction was inhibited by nearly 50%. This indicates that the size of the hepatic pool of bile acids can influence the ability of the liver to detoxify electrophilic compounds. The A, B and C isoenzymes of glutathione S-transferase were isolated separately. Each was found to be inhibited by bile acids. Kinetic analysis of the inhibition revealed that the bile acids were not competitive inhibitors of either glutathione or acceptor substrate binding. The microsomal glutathione S-transferase from guinea-pig liver was also shown to be inhibited by bile acids. This inhibition, however, showed characteristics of a non-specific detergent-type inhibition.

Animals↗

Loss of the Nrf2 transcription factor causes a marked reduction in constitutive and inducible expression of the glutathione S-transferase Gsta1, Gsta2, Gstm1, Gstm2, Gstm3 and Gstm4 genes in the livers of male and female mice.

Mice that lack the Nrf2 basic-region leucine-zipper transcription factor are more sensitive than wild-type (WT) animals to the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of foreign chemicals and oxidants. To determine the basis for the decrease in tolerance of the Nrf2 homozygous null mice to xenobiotics, enzyme assay, Western blotting and gene-specific real-time PCR (TaqMan) have been used to examine the extent to which hepatic expression of GSH-dependent enzymes is influenced by the transcription factor. The amounts of protein and mRNA for class Alpha, Mu and Pi glutathione S-transferases were compared between WT and Nrf2 knockout (KO) mice of both sexes under both constitutive and inducible conditions. Among the class Alpha and class Mu transferases, constitutive expression of Gsta1, Gsta2, Gstm1, Gstm2, Gstm3, Gstm4 and Gstm6 subunits was reduced in the livers of Nrf2 mutant mice to between 3% and 60% of that observed in WT mice. Induction of these subunits by butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) was more marked in WT female mice than in WT male mice. TaqMan analyses showed the increase in transferase mRNA caused by BHA was attenuated in Nrf2(-/-) mice, with the effect being most apparent in the case of Gsta1, Gstm1 and Gstm3. Amongst class Pi transferase subunits, the constitutive hepatic level of mRNA for Gstp1 and Gstp2 was not substantially affected in the KO mice, but their induction by BHA was dependent on Nrf2; this was more obvious in female mutant mice than in male mice. Nrf2 KO mice exhibited reduced constitutive expression of the glutamate cysteine ligase catalytic subunit, and, to a lesser extent, the expression of glutamate cysteine ligase modifier subunit. Little variation was observed in the levels of glutathione synthase in the different mouse lines. Thus the increased sensitivity of Nrf2(-/-) mice to xenobiotics can be partly attributed to a loss in constitutive expression of multiple GSH-dependent enzymes, which causes a reduction in intrinsic detoxification capacity in the KO animal. These data also indicate that attenuated induction of GSH-dependent enzymes in Nrf2(-/-) mice probably accounts for their failure to adapt to chronic exposure to chemical and oxidative stress.

Amino Acid Sequence↗