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Glutathione S-transferases of human lung: characterization and evaluation of the protective role of the alpha-class isozymes against lipid peroxidation.

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) isozymes of human lung have been purified, characterized, quantitated, and, based on their structural and immunological profiles, identified with their respective classes. The tau-, mu-, and alpha-class GSTs represented 94, 3, and 3% activities of total human lung GSTs toward CDNB, respectively, and 60, 10, and 30% of total GST protein, respectively. Both the mu- and the alpha-class GSTs of human lung exhibited heterogeneity. The two mu-class GSTs of human lung had pI values of 6.5 and 6.25 and were differentially expressed in humans. Significant differences were seen between the kinetic properties of these two isozymes and also between the lung and liver mu-class GSTs. The alpha-class GST isozymes of lung resolved into three peaks during isoelectric focusing corresponding to pI values of 9.2, 8.95, and 8.8. All three alpha-class GSTs isozymes had blocked N-termini and were immunologically similar to human liver alpha-class GSTs. Peptide fingerprints generated by SV-8 protease digestion and CNBr cleavage indicated minor structural differences between the liver and the lung alpha-class GSTs. The three alpha-class GSTs of lung expressed glutathione peroxidase activities toward the hydroperoxides of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylglycerol, with Km values in the range of 22 to 87 microM and Vmax values in the range of 67-120 mol/mol/min, indicating the involvement of the alpha-class GSTs in the protection mechanisms against peroxidation. All three classes of lung GSTs expressed activities toward leukotriene A4 methyl ester and epoxy stearic acid but the mu-class GSTs had relatively higher activities toward these substrates.

Blotting, Western

Expression of glutathione S-transferases in rat brains.

The tissue-specific expression of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) in rat brains has been studied by protein purification, in vitro translation of brain poly(A) RNAs, and RNA blot hybridization with cDNA clones of the Ya, Yb, and Yc subunit of rat liver GSTs. Four classes of GST subunits are expressed in rat brains at Mr 28,000 (Yc), Mr 27,000 (Yb), Mr 26,300, and Mr 25,000. The Mr 26,3000 species, or Y beta, has an electrophoretic mobility between that of Ya and Yb, similar to the liver Yn subunit(s) reported by Hayes (Hayes, J. D. (1984) Biochem. J. 224, 839-852). RNA blot hybridization of brain poly(A) RNAs with a liver Yb cDNA probe revealed two RNA species of approximately 1300 and approximately 1100 nucleotides. The band at approximately 1300 nucleotides was absent in liver poly(A) RNAs. The Mr 25,000 species, or Y delta, can be immunoprecipitated by antisera against rat heart and rat testis GSTs, but not by antiserum against rat liver GSTs. Therefore, the Y delta subunit may be related to the "Mr 22,000" subunit reported by Tu et al. (Tu, C.-P.D., Weiss, M.J., Li, N., and Reddy, C. C. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 4659-4662). The abundant liver GST subunits, Ya, are not expressed in rat brains as demonstrated by electrophoresis of purified brain GSTs and a lack of isomerase activity toward the Ya-specific substrate, delta 5-androstene-3,17-dione. This is apparently because of the absence of Ya mRNA expression prior to RNA processing. The data on the preferential expression of Yc subunits in rat brains, together with the differential phenobarbital inducibility of the Ya subunit(s) in rat liver reported by Pickett et al. (Pickett, C. B., Donohue, A. M., Lu, A. Y. H., and Hales, B. F. (1982) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 215, 539-543), suggest that the Ya and Yc genes for rat GSTs are two functionally distinct gene families even though they share 68% DNA sequence homology. The expression of multiple GSTs in rat brains suggests that GSTs may be involved in physiological processes other than xenobiotics metabolism.

Animals

Primary sequence heterogeneity and tissue expression of glutathione S-transferases of Fasciola hepatica.

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) from Fasciola hepatica have been purified by glutathione affinity chromatography. Two closely migrating species of Mr 26,000 and 26,500 were identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and several species resolved by two-dimensional gel analysis, indicating substantial heterogeneity among the GSTs. N-terminal amino acid sequencing revealed one core sequence containing three polymorphisms, whereas the sequence of GST peptides implied a minimum of three different GSTs. The amino acid sequence data assigned the F. hepatica GSTs to the mu class of GSTs with high similarities to these proteins in other helminths and mammals. The native GSTs of F. hepatica appeared to behave as dimers as determined by molecular sieving chromatography. The observation that the GSTs of F. hepatica are heterogeneous in sequence and behave as dimers in the native state suggest that these isoenzymes may exhibit considerable functional heterogeneity which may be of importance to the parasite. Immunocytochemical studies suggest that the main source of GST in F. hepatica are the parenchymal cells and peripheral tissues of the parasite. Some extracellular GST is associated with the lamellae of the intestinal epithelium. The identification of an intestinal GST is unique among trematodes studied to date.

Amino Acid Sequence

Expression of alpha, mu and pi class glutathione S-transferases in oval and ductal cells in liver of rats placed on a choline-deficient, ethionine-supplemented diet.

Expression of the alpha, mu and pi class glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) in hepatocytes, oval cells and ductal cells derived from the livers of rats placed on a choline-deficient, ethionine-supplemented (CDE) diet for 5 weeks was investigated. An overall decrease in the expression of alpha and mu class GSTs and an over-expression of pi class GST was observed in the liver after CDE treatment as indicated by Northern blotting analysis. Massive disruption of the liver with oval cell infiltration in the sinusoids throughout the lobule occurred after 5 weeks CDE treatment. 'Duct-like' structures consisting of oval-like cells (ductal cells) with rounder nuclei and more cytoplasm than oval cells within the sinusoids were also apparent. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that the altered expression of GST in the whole liver is attributed to a differential expression of alpha, mu and pi class GSTs in the different cell types in the liver, including hepatocytes, oval cells around the portal region and among the sinusoids, and oval-like cells (ductal cells) in the 'duct-like' structures. In vitro studies using purified oval-ductal cells and hepatocyte populations confirmed the differential expression of GSTs in the varying cell populations in situ. The expression of the alpha and mu class GSTs in hepatocytes does not appear to be altered by the CDE diet. Heterogeneity in distribution of pi class GST was observed in the hepatocyte population, some hepatocytes were stained strongly while no staining was observed in others. Oval and ductal cells represent two distinct populations displaying different expression of GSTs. Pi class GST was detected in the majority of oval and ductal cells. Alpha class GST was detected in < 5% of the oval cell population and was found in > 50% of the ductal cell population. In contrast, mu class GST was absent in ductal cells and was present in 24% of oval cells around the portal region. This supports the view that ductal cells are not of bile ductal origin since mu GST is present in normal bile duct epithelial cells. Furthermore the change in expression of GSTs in the liver after CDE treatment is attributed to the large increase in oval and ductal cell populations.

Animals

Gene-specific oligonucleotide probes for alpha, mu, pi, and microsomal rat glutathione S-transferases: analysis of liver transferase expression and its modulation by hepatic enzyme inducers and platinum anticancer drugs.

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) play an important role in the detoxification of diverse electrophilic chemicals, including anticancer drugs. Gene-specific oligonucleotide probes were developed to monitor the expression of individual GST mRNAs in livers of adult male rats treated with drugs and other chemical modulators of GST expression. Northern blot analysis of total liver RNA using probes specific for individual GSTs belonging to classes alpha (GSTs Ya1, Ya2, Yc), mu (GSTs Yb1, Yb2, Yb3), pi (GST Yp), and GSTms demonstrated the expression in liver of all but Yp mRNA. Kidney GST expression was at least as high as that in liver for GSTs Ya1, Yc, and Yp, while it was substantially lower but still detectable for GSTs Ya2, Yb2, and GSTms. Several of the liver GST class alpha mRNAs, in particular Ya2, were inducible by pretreatment of rats with phenobarbital or isosafrole. In contrast, dexamethasone preferentially induced Yb1, Yb2, and Ya2, while two other inducers of liver drug metabolism, isoniazid and clofibrate, were less effective with respect to GST induction. GSTms mRNA was induced to a small extent or not at all by the agents tested. Treatment of adult male rats with the anticancer drug cisplatin increased liver expression of GST Yc mRNA and suppressed Ya1 mRNA levels with little or no major effect on several other GST mRNAs. Western blot analysis of liver cytosols prepared from the cisplatin-treated rats revealed corresponding changes in GST Yc and Ya protein levels. Comparable changes in liver GST Ya1 and Yc expression were effected by the cisplatin analogue iproplatin but not by carboplatin or transplatin. This pattern of response to these platinum drugs is comparable to that seen with respect to platinum drug-induced gonadal toxicity and modulation of liver cytochrome P450 expression, suggesting a common mechanistic basis for these diverse effects of platinum anticancer drugs on hepatic enzymes of drug metabolism. Together, these studies demonstrate the utility of oligonucleotide probes for phenotyping liver tissue for the expression of GST enzymes that can contribute to anticancer drug metabolism and resistance. They also raise the possibility of drug-drug interactions involving cisplatin and alkylating agent anticancer drugs that can be metabolized in liver by alpha-class GSTs.

Animals

Glutathione transferase isoenzymes from Bufo bufo embryos at an early developmental stage.

Six forms of glutathione transferase (GST) were resolved from the cytosolic fraction of Bufo bufo embryos at developmental stage 4 by GSH-Sepharose affinity chromatography followed by f.p.l.c. chromatofocusing in the 9-6 pH range. They have apparent isoelectric points at pH 8.37 (GST I), 8.22 (GST II), 8.10 (GST III), 7.84 (GST IV), 7.37 (GST V) and 7.12 (GST VI), and each displayed an apparent subunit molecular mass of 23 kDa by SDS/PAGE. The Bufo bufo embryo enzymes showed very similar structural, catalytic and immunological properties, as indicated by their substrate-specificities, inhibition characteristics, c.d. spectra, h.p.l.c. elution profiles and immunological reactivities, as well as by their N-terminal amino acid sequences. Although Bufo bufo embryo GSTs do not correspond to any other known GSTs, the results of our experiments indicate that amphibian GSTs could be included in the Pi family of GSTs. This conclusion is supported by the analysis of c.d. spectra, and by the fact that mammalian Pi class GSTs and amphibian GSTs showed about 80% identity in their N-terminal amino acid sequences. Furthermore, antisera prepared against Bufo bufo GST III cross-reacted in immunoblotting analysis with Pi class GSTs, and vice versa.

Amino Acid Sequence

A distinct human testis and brain mu-class glutathione S-transferase. Molecular cloning and characterization of a form present even in individuals lacking hepatic type mu isoenzymes.

mu-Class glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) were identified in all 13 human testes and 28 brains examined; even subjects whose livers were devoid of mu-GSTs expressed extrahepatic GSTs of this class. Testes and brains from individuals with mu-class GSTs in their livers had additional forms that also reflected the liver phenotypes. An isoenzyme with an isoelectric point of 5.2, which was a major GST in testis and present as well in cerebral cortex but not detected in any livers, was identified and purified. Sequence analysis of peptides derived by cleavage of the testicular mu-class GST by Achromobacter protease I revealed distinct aspects of primary structure not found previously in any mammalian mu-class GSTs. These unique features included a blocked and extended amino terminus and 3 additional residues (Pro-Val-Cys) at the carboxyl terminus. This structure was confirmed by molecular cloning and sequencing of cDNAs derived from human testis and brain libraries. In the coding region the mRNA of the brain-testis mu-class GST was 75% homologous with that of the liver form, and its 3'-untranslated sequence was mostly divergent, indicating that it is the product of a separate gene. Distinct catalytic and structural properties of the testis-brain mu-class GSTs suggest that these GSTs may be uniquely involved in blood-barrier functions common to both organs.

Adolescent

Coordinated regulation of glutathione S-transferases confers metabolic flexibility in multi-insecticide-resistant Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande).

INTRODUCTION: The evolution of multi-insecticide resistance in insect pests threatens global food security. Although glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are implicated in detoxification, the coordinated mechanism by which specific gene subfamilies interact to confer broad-spectrum resistance remains inadequately characterized. OBJECTIVE: To dissect the functional allocation and cooperation of GST subfamilies in multi-insecticide-resistant strains of Frankliniella occidentalis. METHODS: We integrated comparative genomics (20 GST genes cloned), transcriptomics (qRT-PCR), RNAi-mediated silencing, molecular docking (AutoDock Vina), and in vitro metabolism assays (UPLC-MS/MS) across susceptible and resistant thrips strains. RESULTS: The two resistant strains (NIL-R and FS-R) exhibited moderate to high resistance to five insecticides (chlorfenapyr, emamectin benzoate, spinetoram, spinosad, and thiamethoxam), accompanied by significantly elevated GSTs activity. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that GSTs include 10 conserved delta and 7 diverse sigma members. The sigma subfamily has undergone a marked expansion due to gene duplication. Delta (FoGSTd1, d4, and d9) and sigma (FoGSTs1, s2, and s6) genes were significantly up-regulated in the resistant strains. RNAi showed specialized functional allocation among GSTs: delta GSTs mediated resistance to spinosad and chlorfenapyr, sigma GSTs were responsible for thiamethoxam resistance, and notably, cooperation between these subfamilies contributed to resistance against emamectin benzoate and spinetoram. Molecular docking and in vitro metabolism assays of FoGSTd9 and FoGSTs1 proteins further supported the functional allocation and cooperative roles of GST subfamilies. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that F. occidentalis may coordinate GST subfamilies to achieve metabolic flexibility in response to multi-insecticide pressure. This survival strategy, mediated by mechanistic functional allocation and cooperative interactions among subfamilies, may contribute to energy conservation and reduced adaptive costs. Disruption of this coordinated mechanism represents a potential approach for overcoming resistance in agricultural pest populations.

Animals

Glutathione transferase isoenzymes from human prostate.

By using affinity-chromatography and isoelectric-focusing techniques, several forms of glutathione transferase (GSTs) were resolved from human prostate cytosol. All the three major classes of GST, i.e. Alpha, Mu and Pi, are present in human prostate. However, large inter-individual variation in the qualitative and quantitative expression of different isoenzymes resulted in the samples investigated. The most abundant group of prostate isoenzymes showed acid (pI 4.3-4.7) behaviour and were classified as Pi class GSTs on the basis of their immunological and structural properties. Immunohistochemical staining of Pi class GSTs was prevalently distributed in the epithelial cells surrounding the alveolar lumen. Class Mu GSTs are also expressed, although in small amounts and in a limited number of samples, by human prostate. The major cationic isoenzyme purified from prostate, GST-9.6; (pI 9.6; apparent subunit molecular mass of 28 kDa), appears to be different from the cationic GST alpha-epsilon forms isolated from human liver and kidney as evidenced by its structural, kinetical and immunological properties. This enzyme, which accounts for about 20-30% (on protein basis) of total amount of GSTs, is expressed by only 40% of samples. GST-9.6 has the ability to cross-react in immunoblotting analysis with antisera raised against rat liver GST 2-2, rather than with antisera raised against members of human Alpha, Mu and Pi class GSTs. Although prostate GST-9.6 shows close relationship with the human skin GST pI 9.9, it does not correspond to any other known human GST.

Aged

Hepatic glutathione S-transferases in mice fed on a diet containing the anticarcinogenic antioxidant butylated hydroxyanisole. Isolation of mouse glutathione S-transferase heterodimers by gradient elution of the glutathione-Sepharose affinity matrix.

Induction of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) is believed to represent an important mechanism whereby butylated hydroxyanisole inhibits chemical carcinogenesis. The soluble hepatic GSTs expressed by mice fed on normal diets are all homodimers comprising Ya3 (Mr 25,800), Yb1 (Mr 26,400) and Yf (Mr 24,800) subunits. In addition to these constitutively expressed GSTs, we have identified enzymes containing Ya1 (Mr 25,600), Ya2 (Mr 25,600), Yb2 (Mr 26,200) and Yb5 (Mr 26,500) subunits from the livers of Balb/c mice fed on diets containing butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). Gradient affinity elution of GSH-Sepharose has been used to resolve the mouse liver enzymes into several discrete pools of activity from which GSTs were purified by cation-exchange chromatography. The inducible Mu-class Yb2 and Yb5 subunits were separately isolated as the heterodimers GST Yb1Yb2 and GST Yb1Yb5 and their catalytic properties are described; this showed that 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene and trans-4-phenylbut-3-en-2-one are marker substrates for the mouse Yb1 and Yb2 subunits respectively, but no discriminating model substrate was found that allows the identification of the Yb5 subunit. Individual GST subunits were resolved by reverse-phase h.p.l.c. and their amino acid compositions were determined. Certain subunits (Yb1, Yb2, Yb5 and Yf) were also subjected to automated amino acid sequence analysis, and this demonstrated that the Yb5 subunit has a blocked N-terminus. The mouse Yb1, Yb2 and Yb5 subunits from the major inducible Mu-class heterodimers were cleaved with CNBr and purified peptides from the Yb2 and Yb5 subunits were sequenced. These data show that the Yb2 subunit is distinct from the GSTs that are encoded by the cDNAs that have been cloned from mouse liver cDNA libraries but possesses identity with the protein that is encoded by pmGT2, a cDNA isolated from a mouse fibroblast cell line by Townsend, Goldsmith, Pickett & Cowan [(1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264. 21582-21590]. The sequence data also show that the cDNA encoding the mouse Yb5 subunit has not, to date, been cloned, and the relationship between this subunit and Mu-class GSTs in other species that possess a blocked N-terminus (e.g. rat GST YoYo) is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence

Immunological and sequence interrelationships between multiple human liver and rat glutathione S-transferases.

The 13 forms of human liver glutathione S-transferases (GST) (Vander Jagt, D. L., Hunsaker, L. A., Garcia, K. B., and Royer, R. E. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 11603-11610) are composed of subunits in two electrophoretic mobility groups: Mr = 26,000 (Ha) and Mr = 27,500 (Hb). Preparations purified from the S-hexyl GSH-linked Sepharose 4B affinity column revealed three additional peptides at Mr = 30,800, Mr = 31,200, and Mr = 32,200. Immunoprecipitation of human liver poly(A) RNAs in vitro translation products revealed three classes of GST subunits and related peptides at Mr = 26,000, Mr = 27,500, and Mr = 31,000. The Mr = 26,000 species (Ha) can be precipitated with antisera against a variety of rat liver GSTs containing Ya, Yb, and Yc subunits, whereas the Mr = 27,500 species (Hb) can be immunoprecipitated most efficiently by antiserum against the anionic isozymes as well as a second Yb-containing isozyme (peak V) from the rat liver. The Mr = 31,000 band can be immunoprecipitated by antisera preparations against sheep liver, rat liver, and rat testis isozymes. Human liver GSTs do not have any subunits of the rat liver Yc mobility. Antiserum against the human liver GSTs did not cross-react with the Yc subunits of rat livers or brains in immunoblotting experiments. The human liver GST cDNA clone, pGTH1, selected human liver poly(A) RNAs for the Ha subunit(s) in the hybrid-selected in vitro translation experiments. Southern blot hybridization results revealed cross-hybridization of pGTH1 with the Ya, Yb, and Yc subunit cDNA clones of rat liver GSTs. This sequence homology was substantiated further in that immobilized pGTH1 DNA selected rat liver poly(A) RNAs for the Ya, Yb, and Yc subunits with different efficiency as assayed by in vitro translation and immunoprecipitation. Therefore, we have demonstrated convincingly that sequence homology as well as immunological cross-reactivity exist between GST subunits from several rat tissues and the human liver. Also, the multiple forms of human liver GSTs are most likely encoded by a minimum of three different classes of mRNAs. These results suggest a genetic basis for the subunit heterogeneity of human liver GSTs.

Animals

Enzymatic transformation of PGH2 to PGF2 alpha catalyzed by glutathione S-transferases.

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) purified from both rat liver cytosol and microsomes catalyzed the direct reduction of PGH2 to PGF2 alpha. As much as 40% of the substrate was transformed into a prostanoid whose Rf value corresponded to that of PGF2 alpha. The identification of the reaction product as PGF2 alpha was confirmed by TLC and reverse-phase HPLC as well as by mass spectral analysis. In the absence of GSTs, PGH2 was found to be primarily converted to PGE2 and PGD2. Also, PGF2 alpha formation was completely abolished by decylglutathione, a potent inhibitor of both peroxidase and transferase activity associated with GSTs. These results indicate that the direct reduction of endoperoxide moiety of PGH2 to form PGF2 alpha is an enzymatic process. Interestingly, selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (Se-GSH-Px) showed very little PGF2 alpha formation from PGH2. However, this enzyme was very active in the reduction of PGG2 to PGH2. In contrast, GSTs were very poor in the conversion of PGG2 to PGH2. Therefore, it is possible that the relative tissue distribution of Se-GSH-Px and GSTs might play an important role in the tissue specific synthesis of PGF2 alpha.

Animals

Glutathione conjugation of the fluorophotometric epoxide substrate, 7-glycidoxycoumarin (GOC), by rat liver glutathione transferase isoenzymes.

The fluorophotometric substrate, 7-glycidoxycoumarin (GOC), was examined for the assay of epoxide-glutathione (GSH)-conjugating activities of seven major GSH transferases (GSTs) isolated from rat liver cytosols. GST 7-7 (GST-P), isolated from the liver cytosol of rats bearing hepatic hyperplastic nodules, catalysed the GSH conjugation of GOC at a higher rate than any other examined GST isolated from the normal rat liver cytosol. GSTs 3-3, 3-4 and 4-4 (group 3-4 enzymes) had specific activities towards GOC by one fifth to one third of that of GST 7-7. GSTs 1-1, 1-2 and 2-2 (group 1-2 enzymes) had very low activities towards this epoxide. A kinetic study indicated that GST 7-7 showed the largest kappa cat/Km value for the catalytic reaction of GOC-GSH conjugation among the GSTs. In spite of their much smaller kappa cat values, group 3-4 enzymes showed much larger kappa cat/Km values for GOC than the group 1-2 enzymes, because GOC had a much higher affinity for group 3-4 enzymes than for group 1-2 enzymes. A comparative study was also done with GSH conjugations of styrene 7,8-oxide (STO) and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene by the GSTs. Unlike GOC, the conjugation of STO was mediated at rates about twice as high by group 3-4 enzymes than by GST 7-7. STO was also a very poor substrate for group 1-2 enzymes.

Animals

Protective activity of different hepatic cytosolic glutathione S-transferases against DNA-binding metabolites of aflatoxin B1.

To evaluate the role of glutathione S-transferase (GST) isoenzymes in induced resistance of hepatocytes to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), we compared DNA protective activities of different hepatic cytosol preparations and purified GSTs from normal rats, rats exposed to different polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and rats with carcinogen-induced hepatocellular neoplasms, with cytosols or purified GSTs from mouse, rainbow trout, and human livers. These comparisons were performed in an in vitro assay for [3H]AFB1-DNA binding after activation by rat liver microsomes. Cytosol and S-hexylglutathione-affinity-purified GST preparations from livers of mice consistently had strong protective activity against AFB1-DNA binding. The majority of this activity was dependent on the presence of reduced glutathione (GSH) but some GSH-independent protection was observed in mouse hepatic cytosol, but not in purified GST preparations. We found that all of the GSH-dependent DNA-protective activity in mouse liver eluted as a single GST isoenzyme by hydroxyapatite chromatography. Preparations of cytosol and purified GSTs from normal rat liver, rainbow trout liver, and human liver had much less AFB1-specific DNA protective activity than GSTs found in mouse liver preparations. Cytosol from rats with carcinogen-generated liver neoplasms and livers induced with 3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl and 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl had more GST activity toward CDNB than cytosol from normal rat liver. When equivalent units of GST activity (CDNB) were compared, there was little difference observed between the DNA-protective activities of PCB-induced and normal rat liver cytosols, yet cytosol from rat liver neoplasms was more protective. Purified GST-P (7-7), the GST isoenzyme most induced in carcinogen-generated rat liver neoplasms, was not protective when added at protein concentrations found to be protective for total GSTs isolated from these neoplasms. These studies demonstrate that the resistance of mouse liver to AFB1 can be explained primarily by a single constitutive GST isoenzyme (YaYa or 4-4) with a relatively high activity toward DNA-binding metabolites of AFB1. GST isoenzymes with such high specific DNA protective activity against AFB1 metabolites were not evident in human, rat, or rainbow trout liver or in PCB-induced or neoplastic rat liver preparations.

Aflatoxin B1

Characterization of glutathione S-transferases from day-old chick livers.

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs, EC 2.5.1.18) were isolated from the liver cytosolic fraction of 1 day old Leghorn chicks by S-hexylglutathione and glutathione affinity columns arranged in tandem. After sample loading, the affinity columns were detached from each other and developed separately. Four groups of GSTs (CL 1, 2, 3, and 4) were eluted from the hexylglutathione column, and an additional group of GSTs (CL 2 and 5) was eluted from the glutathione affinity column. CL 2, CL 3, and CL 5 were further purified to homogeneity by chromatofocusing, and the substrate specificities of each group were determined. Fractions from the chromatofocusing column were analyzed by native IEF electrophoresis. Protein bands were electroblotted onto PVDF membrane for N-terminal sequence analysis or extracted from IEF gel and rerun on SDS-PAGE to determine the subunit composition of each GST dimer. CL 2, CL 3, and CL 5 can form homodimers, whereas CL 1 and CL 4 exist only as CL 1-2 and CL 3-4 heterodimers. CL 2 and CL 5 have N-terminal amino acid sequences homologous to rat liver Yb and Ya GSTs, respectively. CL 1 has a unique N-terminal sequence that is not homologous to any known GSTs.

Amino Acid Sequence

Evidence that glutathione S-transferases B1B1 and B2B2 are the products of separate genes and that their expression in human liver is subject to inter-individual variation. Molecular relationships between the B1 and B2 subunits and other Alpha class glutathione S-transferases.

The Alpha class glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) in human liver are composed of polypeptides of Mr 25,900. These enzymes are dimeric, and two immunochemically distinct subunits, B1 and B2, have been described that combine to form GSTs B1B1, B1B2 and B2B2 [Stockman, Beckett & Hayes (1985) Biochem. J. 227, 457-465]. Gradient affinity elution from GSH-Sepharose has been used to resolve the three Alpha class GSTs, and this method has been applied to demonstrate marked inter-individual differences in the hepatic content of GSTs B1B1, B1B2 and B2B2. The B1 and B2 subunits can be resolved by reverse-phase h.p.l.c., and their elution positions suggest that they are equivalent to the alpha chi and alpha y h.p.l.c. peaks described by Ketterer and his colleagues [Ostlund Farrants, Meyer, Coles, Southan, Aitken, Johnson & Ketterer (1987) Biochem. J. 245, 423-428]. The B1 and B2 subunits have now been cleaved with CNBr and the fragments subjected to automated amino acid sequence analysis. The sequence data show that B1 and B2 subunits do not arise from post-translational modification, as had been previously believed for the hepatic Alpha class GSTs, but are instead the products of separate genes; B1 and B2 subunits were found to contain different amino acid residues at positions 88, 110, 111, 112, 116, 124 and 127. The relationship between the B1 and B2 subunits and the cloned GTH1 and GTH2 cDNA sequences [Rhoads, Zarlengo & Tu (1987) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 145, 474-481] is discussed.

Adult

Rat spleen glutathione transferases. A new acidic form belonging to the Alpha class.

Cytosolic glutathione transferases (GSTs) were purified from the rat spleen by S-hexyl-GSH-Sepharose chromatography, and two major forms were identified as GSTs 2-2 and 7-7 (GST P). Besides these forms an acidic form (pI 5.8) was purified by chromatofocusing at pH 7-4 and it accounted for about 1% of the total GST activity bound to S-hexyl-GSH-Sepharose. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed that it is a homodimer (subunit Mr 26,000 with pI 5.8). Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that it was immunologically related to GSTs 2-2 and 1-1, and its N-terminal amino acid was apparently blocked, similarly to other forms of the class Alpha. This form had a low activity towards cumene hydroperoxide or 4-hydroxynon-2-enal, indicating that this form differed from GSTs 10-10 and 8-8 as well as from GSTs 1-1 and 2-2. These results suggest that it is a new form of GST belonging to the class Alpha.

Animals

Ethoxyquin-induced resistance to aflatoxin B1 in the rat is associated with the expression of a novel alpha-class glutathione S-transferase subunit, Yc2, which possesses high catalytic activity for aflatoxin B1-8,9-epoxide.

A purification scheme has been devised for two ethoxyquin-inducible Alpha-class glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) which possess at least 25-fold greater activity towards aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-8,9-epoxide than that exhibited by the GSTs (i.e. F, L, B and AA) that have been described previously. These two enzymes are both heterodimers and both contain a subunit of Mr 25,800. This subunit has been isolated from both of the GST isoenzymes and, after cleavage with CNBr, it has been subjected to automated amino acid sequencing. The primary structure of the Mr 25,800 subunit revealed that it forms part of a subfamily of Alpha-class GSTs which possess closest identity (about 92%) with the Yc subunit of apparent Mr 27,500, which is encoded by the recombinant cDNA clone pGTB42 [Telakowski-Hopkins, Rodkey, Bennett, Lu & Pickett (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 5820-5825]. As these two GSTs possess less than 70% sequence identity with the Ya1 and Ya2 subunits, both of Mr 25,500, the constitutively expressed Yc subunit of Mr 27,500 has been renamed Yc1 and the ethoxyquin-inducible GST of Mr 25,800 has been designated Yc2. Using this nomenclature, the two GSTs with high activity for AFB1-8,9-epoxide are Ya1Yc2 and Yc1Yc2. Although evidence suggests that induction of Yc2 is responsible for the high detoxification capacity of livers from ethoxyquin-treated rats for AFB1-8,9-epoxide, resistance towards AFB1 may be multifactorial in this instance as dietary ethoxyquin also induces the Ya1, Ya2 and Yc1 subunits about 2.2-, 10.9- and 2.7-fold respectively. Besides the induction of GST by ethoxyquin, activity towards AFB1-8,9-epoxide is also elevated in the livers of neonatal rats and in livers that contain preneoplastic nodules. Western blotting experiments show that Yc2 is not present in hepatic cytosol from adult rats fed on normal diets but is expressed in neonatal rat livers and in the livers of adult rats that contain preneoplastic nodules that have arisen as a consequence of consuming diets contaminated with AFB1.

Aflatoxin B1