Rat liver glutathione S-transferases. Construction of a cDNA clone complementary to a Yc mRNA and prediction of the complete amino acid sequence of a Yc subunit

Mechanisms of induction of cytosolic and microsomal glutathione transferase (GST) genes by xenobiotics and pro-inflammatory agents

Glutathione transferase (GST) isoezymes are encoded by three separate families of genes (designated cytosolic, microsomal and mitochondrial transferases), with distinct evolutionary origins, that provide mammalian species with protection against electrophiles and oxidative stressors in the environment. Members of the cytosolic class Alpha, Mu, Pi and Theta GST, and also certain microsomal transferases (MGST2 and MGST3), are up-regulated by a diverse spectrum of foreign compounds typified by phenobarbital, 1,4-bis[2-(3,5-dichloropyridyloxy)]benzene, pregnenolone-16α-carbonitrile, 3-methylcholanthrene, 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro-dibenzo-p-dioxin, β-naphthoflavone, butylated hydroxyanisole, ethoxyquin, oltipraz, fumaric acid, sulforaphane, coumarin, 1-[2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oyl]imidazole, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, dexamethasone and thiazolidinediones. Collectively, these compounds induce gene expression through the constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), the pregnane X receptor (PXR), the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) and CAATT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) β. The microsomal T family includes 5-lipoxygenase activating protein (FLAP), leukotriene C(4) synthase (LTC4S) and prostaglandin E(2) synthase (PGES-1), and these are up-regulated by tumour necrosis factor-α, lipopolysaccharide and transforming growth factor-β. Induction of genes encoding FLAP, LTC4S and PGES-1 is mediated by the transcription factors C/EBPα, C/EBPδ, C/EBPϵ, nuclear factor-κB and early growth response-1. In this article we have reviewed the literature describing the mechanisms by which cytosolic and microsomal GST are up-regulated by xenobiotics, drugs, cytokines and endotoxin. We discuss cross-talk between the different induction mechanisms, and have employed bioinformatics to identify cis-elements in the upstream regions of GST genes to which the various transcription factors mentioned above may be recruited.

Covalent binding of acrylonitrile to specific rat liver glutathione S-transferases in vivo

Acrylonitrile (AN) is an industrial vinyl monomer that is acutely toxic. When administered to rats, AN covalently binds to tissue proteins in a dose-dependent but nonlinear manner [Benz, F. W., Nerland, D. E., Li, J., and Corbett, D. (1997) Fundam. Appl. Toxicol. 36, 149-156]. The nonlinearity in covalent binding stems from the fact that AN rapidly depletes liver glutathione after which the covalent binding to tissue proteins increases disproportionately. The identity of the tissue proteins to which AN covalently binds is unknown. The experiments described here were conducted to begin to answer this question. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected subcutaneously with 115 mg/kg (2.2 mmol/kg) [2,3-(14)C]AN. Two hours later, the livers were removed, homogenized, and fractionated into subcellular components, and the radioactively labeled proteins were separated on SDS-PAGE. One set of labeled proteins was found to be glutathione S-transferase (GST). Specific labeling of the mu over the alpha class was observed. Separation of the GST subunits by HPLC followed by scintillation counting showed that AN was selective for subunit rGSTM1. Mass spectral analysis of tryptic digests of the GST subunits indicated that the site of labeling was cysteine 86. The reason for the high reactivity of cysteine 86 in rGSTM1 was hypothesized to be due to its potential interaction with histidine 84, which is unique in this subunit.

Differential lobular induction in rat liver of glutathione S-transferase A1/A2 by phenobarbital

Phenobarbital and other xenobiotics induce drug-metabolizing enzymes, including glutathione S-transferase A1/A2 (rGSTA1/A2). We examined the mechanism of induction of rGSTA1/A2 in rat livers after phenobarbital treatment. The induction of rGSTA1/A2 was not uniform across the hepatic lobule; steady-state transcript levels were threefold higher in perivenous hepatocytes relative to periportal hepatocytes when examined by in situ hybridization 12 h after a single dose of phenobarbital. Administration of a second dose of phenobarbital 12 or 24 h after the first dose did not equalize the induction of rGSTA1/A2 across the lobule. The transcriptional activity of the rGSTA1/A2 gene was increased 3.5- to 5.5-fold in whole liver by phenobarbital, but activities were the same in enriched periportal and perivenous subpopulations of hepatocytes from phenobarbital-treated animals. The half-life of rGSTA1/A2 mRNA in control animals was 3.6 h, whereas it was 10.2 h in phenobarbital-treated animals. We conclude that phenobarbital induces rGSTA1/A2 expression by increasing transcriptional activity across the lobule but induction of rGSTA1/A2 is greater in perivenous hepatocytes due to localized stabilization of mRNA transcripts.

Human glutathione transferase A4-4 crystal structures and mutagenesis reveal the basis of high catalytic efficiency with toxic lipid peroxidation products

The oxidation of lipids and cell membranes generates cytotoxic compounds implicated in the etiology of aging, cancer, atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative diseases, and other illnesses. Glutathione transferase (GST) A4-4 is a key component in the defense against the products of this oxidative stress because, unlike other Alpha class GSTs, GST A4-4 shows high catalytic activity with lipid peroxidation products such as 4-hydroxynon-2-enal (HNE). The crystal structure of human apo GST A4-4 unexpectedly possesses an ordered C-terminal alpha-helix, despite the absence of any ligand. The structure of human GST A4-4 in complex with the inhibitor S-(2-iodobenzyl) glutathione reveals key features of the electrophilic substrate-binding pocket which confer specificity toward HNE. Three structural modules form the binding site for electrophilic substrates and thereby govern substrate selectivity: the beta1-alpha1 loop, the end of the alpha4 helix, and the C-terminal alpha9 helix. A few residue changes in GST A4-4 result in alpha9 taking over a predominant role in ligand specificity from the N-terminal loop region important for GST A1-1. Thus, the C-terminal helix alpha9 in GST A4-4 provides pre-existing ligand complementarity rather than acting as a flexible cap as observed in other GST structures. Hydrophobic residues in the alpha9 helix, differing from those in the closely related GST A1-1, delineate a hydrophobic specificity canyon for the binding of lipid peroxidation products. The role of residue Tyr212 as a key catalytic residue, suggested by the crystal structure of the inhibitor complex, is confirmed by mutagenesis results. Tyr212 is positioned to interact with the aldehyde group of the substrate and polarize it for reaction. Tyr212 also coopts part of the binding cleft ordinarily formed by the N-terminal substrate recognition region in the homologous enzyme GST A1-1 to reveal an evolutionary swapping of function between different recognition elements. A structural model of catalysis is presented based on these results.

Members of the glutathione S-transferase gene family are antigens in autoimmune hepatitis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Autoimmmune hepatitis (AIH), a chronic liver disorder, can be classified into two subtypes on the basis of the specificities of circulating autoantibodies. Type I AIH is defined by antibodies to nuclear and/or smooth muscle antigens (SMA), and type II is characterized by antibodies to cytochrome P450IID6. There is an additional type of AIH characterized by antibodies to a cytosolic soluble liver antigen (SLA), which can occur alone or in combination with antinuclear antibodies and SMA. The aim of this study was to identify the reactive antigen in SLA, a heterogenous cytosolic fraction consisting of at least 100 extremely soluble proteins.

METHODS

Sera from 31 patients with AIH reacting with SLA and from 30 disease controls were tested. The immunoreactive antigens were determined using immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting after one- and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The antigens were identified by microsequencing of the corresponding protein spots.

RESULTS

Twenty-five of 31 anti-SLA-positive sera (80, 7%) reacted with a set of proteins ranging from 25 to 27 kilodaltons that were identified as three subunits of glutathione S-transferases: Ya, Yb1, and Yc.

CONCLUSIONS

Glutathione S-transferase subunit proteins represent the major autoantigen in anti-SLA-positive AIH. This new finding permits the establishment of standardized immunoassays for routine diagnosis.

Molecular phylogeny of glutathione-S-transferases

The glutathione-S-transferase (GST) protein superfamily is currently composed of nearly 100 sequences. This study documents a greater phylogenetic diversity of GSTs than previously realized. Parsimony and distance phylogenetic methods of GST amino acid sequences yielded virtually the same results. There appear to be at least 25 groups (families) of GST-like proteins, as different from one another as are the currently recognized classes. This diversity will require the design of a new nomenclature for this large protein superfamily. There is one well-supported large clade containing the mammalian mu, pi, and alpha classes as well as GSTs from molluscs, helminths, nematodes, and arthropods.

Methods for purification of glutathione transferases in the earthworm genus Eisenia, and their characterization

Isoenzymes of glutathione transferase (GST) were partially purified from the earthworm species Eisenia andrei and E. veneta using affinity chromatography followed by ion exchange chromatography and reversed-phase HPLC. In E. veneta, five activity peaks, named EvGST Ia, Ib, II, III and IV, were separated by anion exchange chromatography. The GSTs in E. andrei were resolved by cation exchange chromatography into six groups, named EaGST I-VI. Using reversed-phase HPLC, the affinity-purified GSTs from E. andrei and E. veneta were resolved into 14 subunits, named Ea1-Ea14 and Ev1-Ev14, respectively. EaGST I, II, IV and EvGST Ia were further characterized. These forms displayed different substrate specificity towards the substrates 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene, ethacrynic acid (ETHA) and cumene hydroperoxide, as well as different subunit composition determined by SDS-PAGE and reversed-phase HPLC. EaGST IV and EvGST Ia showed exceptionally high ETHA activity compared with the other forms. EaGST IV consisted of a homodimeric protein involving subunit Ea6 with an apparent molecular weight of 26.5 kDa, whereas EvGST Ia is composed of two different subunits (Ev9 and Ev10). Amino acid composition and N-terminal analysis of the first 33 residues of Ea6 indicated that the enzyme is most related to the pi class. Subunit Ev10 had 67% identity with Ea6, over the region sequenced (12 residues), but up to 90% identity with GSTs from several nematodes. Exposure of both species to trans-stilbene oxide, 3-methylcholanthrene and phenobarbital for three weeks did not elevate the activity of GST measured with CDNB and ETHA.

Retrovirus-mediated gene transfer of rat glutathione S-transferase Yc confers in vitro resistance to alkylating agents in human leukemia cells and in clonogenic mouse hematopoietic progenitor cells

Recently, we have reported that N2Yc, a Moloney-based retrovirus vector expressing the Yc isoform of rat glutathione S-transferase (GST-Yc), conferred resistance to alkylating agents in mouse NIH-3T3 fibroblasts. In this report, we address the feasibility of using rat GST-Yc somatic gene transfer to confer chemoprotection to the hematopoietic system. Human chronic myelogenous leukemia K-562 cells were efficiently transduced with the N2Yc retrovirus vector and showed a significant increase in the 50% inhibitory concentration of chlorambucil (3.2- to 3.3-fold), mechlorethamine (4.7- to 5.3-fold), and melphalan (2.1- to 2.2-fold). In addition, primary murine clonogenic hematopoietic progenitor cells transduced with the N2Yc vector were significantly more resistant to alkylating agents in vitro than cells transduced with the antisense N2revYc vector. The survival of Yc-transduced hematopoietic colonies at 400 nM mechlorethamine and 4 mu M chlorambucil was 39.4% and 42.6%, respectively, compared to 27.2% and 30.4% for N2revYc-transduced cells. Future experiments will determine the level of chemoprotection achievable in vivo, following transplantation of N2Yc-transduced hematopoietic cells in mice.

The glutathione S-transferase supergene family: regulation of GST and the contribution of the isoenzymes to cancer chemoprotection and drug resistance

The glutathione S-transferases (GST) represent a major group of detoxification enzymes. All eukaryotic species possess multiple cytosolic and membrane-bound GST isoenzymes, each of which displays distinct catalytic as well as noncatalytic binding properties: the cytosolic enzymes are encoded by at least five distantly related gene families (designated class alpha, mu, pi, sigma, and theta GST), whereas the membrane-bound enzymes, microsomal GST and leukotriene C4 synthetase, are encoded by single genes and both have arisen separately from the soluble GST. Evidence suggests that the level of expression of GST is a crucial factor in determining the sensitivity of cells to a broad spectrum of toxic chemicals. In this article the biochemical functions of GST are described to show how individual isoenzymes contribute to resistance to carcinogens, antitumor drugs, environmental pollutants, and products of oxidative stress. A description of the mechanisms of transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of GST isoenzymes is provided to allow identification of factors that may modulate resistance to specific noxious chemicals. The most abundant mammalian GST are the class alpha, mu, and pi enzymes and their regulation has been studied in detail. The biological control of these families is complex as they exhibit sex-, age-, tissue-, species-, and tumor-specific patterns of expression. In addition, GST are regulated by a structurally diverse range of xenobiotics and, to date, at least 100 chemicals have been identified that induce GST; a significant number of these chemical inducers occur naturally and, as they are found as nonnutrient components in vegetables and citrus fruits, it is apparent that humans are likely to be exposed regularly to such compounds. Many inducers, but not all, effect transcriptional activation of GST genes through either the antioxidant-responsive element (ARE), the xenobiotic-responsive element (XRE), the GST P enhancer 1(GPE), or the glucocorticoid-responsive element (GRE). Barbiturates may transcriptionally activate GST through a Barbie box element. The involvement of the Ah-receptor, Maf, Nrl, Jun, Fos, and NF-kappa B in GST induction is discussed. Many of the compounds that induce GST are themselves substrates for these enzymes, or are metabolized (by cytochrome P-450 monooxygenases) to compounds that can serve as GST substrates, suggesting that GST induction represents part of an adaptive response mechanism to chemical stress caused by electrophiles. It also appears probable that GST are regulated in vivo by reactive oxygen species (ROS), because not only are some of the most potent inducers capable of generating free radicals by redox-cycling, but H2O2 has been shown to induce GST in plant and mammalian cells: induction of GST by ROS would appear to represent an adaptive response as these enzymes detoxify some of the toxic carbonyl-, peroxide-, and epoxide-containing metabolites produced within the cell by oxidative stress. Class alpha, mu, and pi GST isoenzymes are overexpressed in rat hepatic preneoplastic nodules and the increased levels of these enzymes are believed to contribute to the multidrug-resistant phenotype observed in these lesions. The majority of human tumors and human tumor cell lines express significant amounts of class pi GST. Cell lines selected in vitro for resistance to anticancer drugs frequently overexpress class pi GST, although overexpression of class alpha and mu isoenzymes is also often observed. The mechanisms responsible for overexpression of GST include transcriptional activation, stabilization of either mRNA or protein, and gene amplification. In humans, marked interindividual differences exist in the expression of class alpha, mu, and theta GST. The molecular basis for the variation in class alpha GST is not known. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)

Microbes, enzymes and genes involved in dichloromethane utilization

Dichloromethane (DCM) is efficiently utilized as a carbon and energy source by aerobic, Gram-negative, facultative methylotrophic bacteria. It also serves as a sole carbon and energy source for a nitrate-respiring Hyphomicrobium sp. and for a strictly anaerobic co-culture of a DCM-fermenting bacterium and an acetogen. The first step of DCM utilization by methylotrophs is catalyzed by DCM dehalogenase which, in a glutathione-dependent substitution reaction, forms inorganic chloride and S-chloromethyl glutathione. This unstable intermediate decomposes to glutathione, inorganic chloride and formaldehyde, a central metabolite of methylotrophic growth. Genetic studies on DCM utilization are beginning to shed some light on questions pertaining to the evolution of DCM dehalogenases and on the regulation of DCM dehalogenase expression. DCM dehalogenase belongs to the glutathione S-transferase supergene family. Analysis of the amino acid sequences of two bacterial DCM dehalogenases reveals 56% identity, and comparison of these sequences to those of glutathione S-transferases indicates a closer relationship to class Theta eukaryotic glutathione S-transferases than to a number of bacterial glutathione S-transferases whose sequences have recently become available. dcmA, the structural gene of the highly substrate-inducible DCM dehalogenase, is carried in most DCM utilizing methylotrophs on large plasmids. In Methylobacterium sp. DM4 its expression is governed by dcmR, a regulatory gene located upstream of dcmA, dcmR encodes a trans-acting factor which negatively controls DCM dehalogenase formation at the transcriptional level. Our working model thus assumes that the dcmR product is a repressor which, in the absence of DCM, binds to the promoter region of dcmA and thereby inhibits initiation of transcription.

Contribution of amino acid residue 208 in the hydrophobic binding site to the catalytic mechanism of human glutathione transferase A1-1

Glutathione transferases (GSTs) catalyze the nucleophilic attack of the thiolate of glutathione on a variety of noxious, often hydrophobic, electrophiles. The interactions responsible for the binding of glutathione have been deduced in great detail from the 3-dimensional structures that have been solved for three different GSTs, each a member of a distinct structural class. However, the interactions of the electrophilic substrates with these enzymes are still largely unexplored. The contribution of the active-site Met208 to aromatic and benzylic chloride substitution reactions catalyzed by human class Alpha GST A1-1 has been evaluated by comparison of wild-type enzyme with variants mutated in position 208. The results show that the amino acid residue at position 208 primarily affects the aromatic substitution reaction, tested with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene as substrate, possibly by interacting with the delocalized negative charge of the substituted ring structure in the transition state.

Isolation and characterization of the Methylophilus sp. strain DM11 gene encoding dichloromethane dehalogenase/glutathione S-transferase

The restricted facultative methylotroph Methylophilus sp. strain DM11 utilizes dichloromethane as the sole carbon and energy source. It differs from other dichloromethane-utilizing methylotrophs by faster growth on this substrate and by possession of a group B dichloromethane dehalogenase catalyzing dechlorination at a fivefold-higher rate than the group A enzymes of slow-growing strains. We isolated dcmA, the structural gene of the strain DM11 dichloromethane dehalogenase, to elucidate its relationship to the previously characterized dcmA gene of Methylobacterium sp. strain DM4, which encodes a group A enzyme. Nucleotide sequence determination of dcmA from strain DM11 predicts a protein of 267 amino acids, corresponding to a molecular mass of 31,197 Da. The 5' terminus of in vivo dcmA transcripts was determined by primer extension to be 70 bp upstream of the translation initiation codon. It was preceded by a putative promoter sequence with high resemblance to the Escherichia coli sigma 70 consensus promoter sequence. dcmA and 130 bp of its upstream sequence were brought under control of the tac promoter and expressed in E. coli to approximately 20% of the total cellular protein by induction with isopropylthiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) and growth at 25 degrees C. Expression at 37 degrees C led to massive formation of inclusion bodies. Comparison of the strain DM11 and strain DM4 dichloromethane dehalogenase sequences revealed 59% identity at the DNA level and 56% identity at the protein level, thus indicating an ancient divergence of the two enzymes. Both dehalogenases are more closely related to eukaryotic class theta glutathione S-transferases than to a number of bacterial glutathione S-transferases.

Immunological comparison of cytosolic glutathione S-transferases between rat and two strains of houseflies

Five different antisera, which include three antisera raised against rat liver glutathione S-transferases (GST), one antiserum raised against human pi GST, and one antiserum raised against housefly GST1, were used to examine their cross-reactivity with different classes of GST subunits isolated from rat liver and the housefly. Two classes of rat liver GSTs, alpha and mu, were isolated from rat liver and two classes of housefly GSTs, GST1 and GST2, were isolated from both CSMA and Cornell-R strains. Antiserum against GST 3-3 was the most reactive antiserum and reacted not only with the mu class of GSTs but also with the GST1 class from both CSMA and Cornell-R strains. Antiserum against human pi GST and antiserum against housefly GST1 had weak immunological reactivity toward the GST1 class from both strains of housefly. Antiserum against GST 4-4 and antiserum against GST 1-1 had no immunological reactivity toward any class of GSTs from housefly. None of the five antisera had any immunological cross-reactivity toward subunit 2 of the alpha class of rat GST and the GST2 class of housefly GSTs from both strains.

Interaction of ebselen with glutathione S-transferase and papain in vitro

The interaction of ebselen(2-phenyl-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one) with rat liver cytosolic glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) and the plant cysteine protease, papain, was studied as cysteine residues are important for the activity of these enzymes. The capacity of GST 1-2 and 3-4 for ebselen binding is similar (1.5 mol ebselen/mol GST isozyme), while GST 2-2 and GST 7-7 bind 0.3 and more than 2.0 mol ebselen/mol GST isozyme, respectively. Ebselen does not bind to N-ethylmaleimide-treated GST, and its binding to GST is prevented by 5 mM thiols. Ebselen irreversibly inactivates the different GST isozymes with a second order rate constant ranging from 20 to 2250 M-1 sec-1 for the different subunits. GST inhibition by ebselen is partially restored by 5 mM thiols. Ebselen binds to untreated papain and to cysteine-treated papain at a ratio of about 0.1 and 0.75 mol ebselen/mol papain, respectively. Ebselen does not bind to N-ethylmaleimide-treated papain, and its binding to papain is interfered with by added thiols. Papain is inactivated by ebselen with a second order rate constant of 1800 M-1 sec-1 in the absence of thiols. However, in the presence of GSH, 2-mercaptoethanol or sodium borohydride, ebselen exerts an activating effect on papain. The binding of ebselen by a seleno-sulfide bond to cysteine residues of GSTs and papain leads to their inactivation.

X-ray crystal structures of cytosolic glutathione S-transferases. Implications for protein architecture, substrate recognition and catalytic function

Crystal structures of cytosolic glutathione S-transferases (EC 2.5.1.18), complexed with glutathione or its analogues, are reviewed. The atomic models define protein architectural relationships between the different gene classes in the superfamily, and reveal the molecular basis for substrate binding at the two adjacent subsites of the active site. Considerable progress has been made in understanding the mechanism whereby the thiol group of glutathione is destabilized (lowering its pKa) at the active site, a rate-enhancement strategy shared by the soluble glutathione S-transferases.

Nucleotide sequence of class-alpha glutathione S-transferases from chicken liver

Two clones coding for class-alpha glutathione S-transferase were isolated from a chicken liver cDNA library. The full-length clone (933 bp) encodes a polypeptide comprising 221 amino acids with a molecular mass of 25,298 Da, including the initiator methionine. The partial clone (935 bp) encodes the C-terminal 193 amino acids of a different class-alpha glutathione S-transferase. The deduced primary amino acid sequence of the full-length clone has a 66% identical sequence with other class-alpha glutathione S-transferases.

Significance of an unusually low Km for glutathione in glutathione transferases of the alpha, mu and pi classes

1. Interactions of glutathione transferases (GST) of the alpha, mu and pi classes with glutathione (GSH) and glutathione conjugates (GS-X) are in contrast with those of a GST of the theta class (GST5-5). 2. GST 5-5 has a Km for GSH of approx. 5 mM. Thus Km/ambient [GSH] is approx. 1, within the range of Km/ambient [s] of glycolytic enzymes. GSTs of the alpha, mu and pi classes yield much lower values of Km for GSH (approx. 0.1 mM) hence Km/ambient [s] is significantly lower than those of most (non-GST) enzymes (p < 0.025). 3. GSTs of the alpha, mu and pi classes are sensitive to inhibition by GS-X (i.e. product) and GS-X analogues. GST 5-5 is not. 4. Rate enhancements up to 10(10), similar to an average enzyme (10(8)-10(12)), are seen in catalysis by GST 5-5, but not in catalysis by GSTs of alpha, mu and pi classes (> 10(7)). 5. Comparisons of primary structure indicate that theta class GSTs may have a decreased binding of the glu-alpha-amino- and gly-COO(-)-groups of GSH compared with GSTs of the other classes. 6. It is concluded that GSTs of alpha, mu and pi classes have evolved towards increased product binding at the expense of catalytic efficiency. Thus GSH is uniquely utilized both as a nucleophile and a 'tag' which can be used to bind and sequester product particularly during GSH-depletion. This interpretation unifies the catalytic and binding properties of these GSTs and alters their perceived role in detoxication.

Xenobiotic-modulated expression of hepatic glutathione S-transferase genes in primary rat hepatocyte culture

CYP 2B1/B2 and 1A1 expression in primary rat hepatocytes plated on a substratum of Vitrogen using Chee's Essential Medium has been reported to be responsive to xenobiotic treatment (Jauregui, H.O., Ng, S.F., Gann, K.L. and Waxman, D.J. (1991) Xenobiotica 21, 1091-1106). Class alpha, mu and pi glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene expression in response to xenobiotic treatment using this primary hepatocyte culture system was examined and the results compared with those obtained for P4502B1/B2 and 1A1 expression. Cytosolic GST activity decreased approx. 75% during the first 48 h of culture relative to freshly isolated hepatocytes and subsequently, increased, attaining a level at 96 h that was 134% of the activity at 48 h post-plating. Treatment of the hepatocyte cultures with phenobarbital (2 mM) or 3-methylcholanthene (5 microM) for 24, 48, or 72 h, beginning 24 h after plating, resulted in significant increases in glutathione S-transferase activity relative to control, with maximal increases of 158 and 164% measured at 72 h following phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene treatment, respectively. SDS-PAGE analysis of cytosolic proteins showed a substantial increase in the intensities of protein bands migrating in the region of the GSTs following phenobarbital, beta-naphthoflavone or 3-methylcholanthrene treatment. Immunoblot analysis of cytosolic fractions using affinity-purified class-specific GST IgGs confirmed that alpha, mu and pi-class GST isozymes were elevated approx. 1.5- to 2-fold following phenobarbital, or beta-naphthoflavone treatment; 3-methylcholanthrene was less effective in enhancing GST expression in cultured hepatocytes as compared to phenobarbital or beta-naphthoflavone. Although GST pi was below the limit of detection in freshly-isolated hepatocytes, enhanced expression of this form was observed in untreated hepatocytes cultured for longer than 72 h. Immunoblot analysis of microsomal fractions revealed that cytochrome P-4502B1/2B2 and 1A1 levels were increased significantly in hepatocyte cultures treated with phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene, respectively, relative to the undetectable levels found in untreated controls. Northern blot analysis of poly(A)+ mRNA isolated from cultures that had been treated with phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene showed an approx. 2- and 4-fold increase in the expression of alpha and pi class glutathione S-transferase mRNAs, respectively, as compared to untreated cells. The level of P-4501A1 or 2B1 mRNA was also markedly elevated following 3-methylcholanthrene or phenobarbital treatment, respectively. The results of this study demonor the first time, that expression of alpha, mu and pi-class glutathione S-transferase genes is effectively modulated in primary yet culture system by different classes of xenobiotics.

Rates of amino acid evolution in the 26- and 28-kDa glutathione S-transferases of Schistosoma

Statistical analysis of glutathione S-transferase (GST) sequences of Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma japonicum, and other animals revealed that, in comparison both to the related mammalian alpha GSTs and to Schistosoma 26-kDa GSTs, the 28-kDa GSTs of Schistosoma have evolved unusually rapidly at the amino acid level in the ordinarily conserved N-terminal portion of the molecule. Because this rapid rate of evolution is reflected at the amino acid level and at nonsynonymous nucleotide sites but not at synonymous nucleotide sites, it must be due to a relaxation of functional constraint on the N-terminal region of the Schistosoma 28-kDa GSTs rather than to a high mutation rate. By contrast, the 26-kDa GSTs of Schistosoma not only show a slower rate of amino acid evolution in the N-terminal portion than the 28-kDa GSTs but also have evolved more slowly in the C-terminal portion than have the related mammalian mu GSTs. The two 26-kDa GSTs of S. mansoni show particularly strong amino acid conservation between one another in the N-terminal region and a predominance of conservative amino acid replacements.

Time course of glutathione S-transferase elevation in Walker mammary carcinoma cells following chlorambucil exposure

Resistance of Walker 256 rat mammary carcinoma cells to chlorambucil has been shown to be accompanied by a specific increase in the A2-2 subunit of glutathione S-transferase (GST) (Buller et al., Mol Pharmacol 31: 575-578, 1987). Analysis of the time course of GST activity following chlorambucil exposure revealed a 7.5- and 3-fold elevation on day 7 post-treatment in Walker-sensitive (WS) and Walker-resistant (WR) cells, respectively. Flow activated cell sorting (FACS) analyses using antibodies specific for rat liver cytosolic GST supported these results and demonstrated the heterogeneous response of WS cells to chlorambucil exposure. The range of GST levels in drug-treated cells was very broad as compared to that of untreated cells. Transcripts for each class of GST (alpha, mu and pi) were quantified for days 1-9 post-treatment from densitometric scans of RNA slot blots. Elevations in GST alpha RNA preceded increases in GST activity (day 7) in both WS and WR cells. Because fluctuations in GSTA1-1 transcripts were not observed, it was concluded that the increased expression of the alpha class must be attributed to increases in GSTA2-2 transcripts. Amplification of the GST genes in drug-treated cells was not present. These results support the role of GSTA2-2 in the detoxification of chlorambucil. The time course of the cellular response to chlorambucil suggests that the elevation of GSTA2-2 transcripts following alkylating agent exposure may represent only one component of a series of events which collectively confer protection and lead to the establishment of drug resistance.

Site-directed mutagenesis and chemical modification of histidine residues on an alpha-class chick liver glutathione S-transferase CL 3-3. Histidines are not needed for the activity of the enzyme and diethylpyrocarbonate modifies both histidine and lysine residues

Each chick liver glutathione S-transferase CL 3 subunit contains three histidine residues: His142, His158 and His228. CL 3-3 can be inactivated by treating with diethylpyrocarbonate. The inactivation process is pH dependent and the pKa of the modified residue is 6.4. The second-order inhibition rate constant is 741 M-1min-1 at pH 7.0. Based on difference-spectrum and kinetic analysis, inactivation coincides with the modification of one histidine residue. However, hydroxylamine treatment of the diethylpyrocarbonate-modified enzyme only partially restored the activity (30-50%) of CL 3-3. By tryptic mapping and amino acid sequence analysis, His228 and Lys14 have been identified as the modified residues. Mutants with histidine to serine replacement (H142S and H158S) or C-terminal histidine deletion (des-H228) were constructed and over-expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda cells using a baculovirus system. The mutants are enzymically active. Furthermore, the des-H228 mutant can be inactivated by diethylpyrocarbonate. These results support the conclusion that histidines are not involved in the enzymic mechanism of CL 3-3.

Glutathione S-transferases: gene structure and regulation of expression

The current knowledge about the structure of GST genes and the molecular mechanisms involved in regulation of their expression are reviewed. Information derived from the study of rat and mouse GST Alpha-class, Ya genes, and a rat GST Pi-class gene seems to indicate that a single cis-regulatory element, composed of two adjacent AP-1-like binding sites in the 5'-flanking region of these GST genes, is responsible for their basal and xenobiotic-inducible activity. The identification of Fos/Jun (AP-1) complex as the trans-acting factor that binds to this element and mediates the basal and inducible expression of GST genes offers a basis for an understanding of the molecular processes involved in GST regulation. The induction of expression of Fos and Jun transcriptional regulatory proteins by a variety of extracellular stimuli is known to mediate the activation of target genes via the AP-1 binding sites. The modulation of the AP-1 activity may account for the changes induced by growth factors, hormones, chemical carcinogens, transforming oncogenes, and cellular stress-inducing agents in the pattern of GST expression. Recent observations implying reactive oxygen as the transduction signal that mediates activation of c-fos and c-jun genes are presently considered to provide an explanation for the induction of GST gene expression by chemical agents of diverse structure. The possibility that these agents may all induce conditions of oxidative stress by various pathways to activate expression of GST genes that are regulated by the AP-1 complex is discussed.

Effects of altered calcium homeostasis on the expression of glutathione S-transferase isozymes in primary cultured rat hepatocytes

The effects of altered Ca2+ homeostasis on glutathione S-transferase (GST) isozyme expression in cultured primary rat hepatocytes were examined. Isolated hepatocytes were cultured on Vitrogen substratum in serum-free modified Chee's essential medium and treated with Ca2+ ionophore A23187 at 120 hr post-plating. GST activity increased slightly, albeit significantly, in a concentration-dependent manner in A23187-treated hepatocytes relative to untreated controls. Western blot analysis using GST class alpha and mu specific antibodies showed an approximately 1.6- and 1.5-fold increase in the class alpha, Ya and Yc subunits, respectively, whereas no significant increase (approximately 1.2-fold) in class mu GST expression was observed following A23187 treatment. Northern blot analysis revealed an approximately 5-fold increase in GST class alpha and an approximately 7-fold increase in class mu GST mRNA levels in ionophore-treated hepatocytes compared to untreated cells. Results of the Western and Northern blot analyses of the ionophore-treated hepatocytes were compared with those obtained for tert-butyl hydroperoxide-treated cells. Immunoblot analysis showed a significant increase in the expression of GST class alpha, Ya and Yc subunits, approximately 1.8- and 1.7-fold, respectively, for tert-butyl hydroperoxide-treated hepatocytes as compared to controls, with little or no increase in class mu GSTs. Northern blot analysis showed approximately 3- and 2-fold increases, respectively, in class alpha and mu GST mRNA levels, following the tert-butyl hydroperoxide treatment. The results of the present investigation show that alterations in Ca2+ homeostasis produced by either Ca2+ ionophore A23187 or tert-butyl hydroperoxide treatment of hepatocytes enhanced the expression of GST isozymes in primary cultured rat hepatocytes.

Isolation and characterization of the human glutathione S-transferase A2 subunit gene

We have isolated and characterized a second human liver glutathione S-transferase (GST) subunit gene. The nucleotide sequence of this gene indicates that it encodes the alpha class subunit A2, with a coding region of about 13 kb. Using reverse transcription assays it could be shown that the A2 subunit gene is expressed in human liver and HepG2 cells. The transcription initiation site has been determined by primer extension analysis. A "TATA"-sequence was found 26 nucleotides upstream from the transcription start site. A comparison of the structure of the A2 subunit gene with that of the A1 subunit gene shows significant sequence identity between the two genes. Southern blot analysis of restriction endonuclease digests of human DNA indicates that there may be several more human alpha class GST genes.

Site-directed mutagenesis of glutathione S-transferase YaYa: functional studies of histidine, cysteine, and tryptophan mutants

The rat cytosolic glutathione S-transferase Ya subunit contains three histidine residues (at positions 8, 143, and 159), two cysteine residues (at positions 18 and 112), and a single tryptophan residue (at position 21). Histidine, cysteine, and tryptophan have been proposed to be present either near or at the active site of other glutathione S-transferase subunits. The functional role of these amino acids at each of the positions was evaluated by site-directed mutagenesis in which valine or asparagine, alanine, and phenylalanine were substituted for histidine, cysteine, and tryptophan, respectively. Mutant enzymes H8V, H143V, H159N, C112A, and W21F retained either full or better catalytic efficiencies (k(cat)/Km) toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and glutathione. Lower but significant k(cat)/Km values were observed for H159V and C18A toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. Some mutants displayed different thermal stabilities and intrinsic fluorescence intensities, but all retained the ability to bind heme. These results indicate that histidine, cysteine, and tryptophan in the glutathione S-transferase Ya subunit are not essential for catalysis nor are they involved in the binding of heme to the YaYa homodimer.

Isolation and characterization of a human glutathione S-transferase Ha1 subunit gene

We have isolated and characterized a human liver glutathione S-transferase Ha1 subunit gene. The gene spans approximately 12 kilobases and comprises seven exons separated by six introns. The transcription initiation site has been determined by primer extension analysis. A TATA box is located 26 nucleotides upstream from the transcription initiation site, an adenine residue. RNA blot analysis reveals that the gene is expressed at significantly higher levels in human liver than in HepG2 cells. The isolation and characterization of a human glutathione S-transferase Ha1 subunit gene should facilitate a detailed analysis of its transcriptional regulation.

Enhanced expression, purification, and characterization of a novel class alpha glutathione S-transferase isozyme appearing in rabbit hepatic cytosol following treatment with 4-picoline

A novel class alpha glutathione S-transferase (GST) isozyme is expressed in the hepatic cytosol of rabbits treated with 4-picoline. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed the presence of a new 28-kDa band which cross-reacted with class alpha GST-specific IgG. This new GST isozyme was isolated from the hepatic cytosol of 4-picoline-treated rabbits and purified to homogeneity using S-hexylglutathione-agarose, CM-Sepharose, and PBE118 chromatofocusing chromatography. The isozyme was determined by SDS-PAGE and gel filtration analyses to be a homodimer of approximately 28 kDa with blocked N-terminus. A heterodimer consisting of 25 and 28 kDa subunits with activity toward the substrate 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene was also purified. Immunoblot analysis revealed that the 25, 26.5, and 28 kDa bands cross-reacted with class alpha GST-specific IgG and failed to react with either class mu or class pi GST-specific antibodies. The 28 kDa enzyme had a pI of 8.2 as determined by nonequilibrium pH gel electrophoresis. The purified 28 kDa enzyme exhibited activity toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (Km = 1.60 mM and Vmax = 73.5 mumol/min/mg) and cumene hydroperoxide (Km = 1.02 mM and Vmax = 6.92 mumol/min/mg). Amino acid sequence analysis of several fragments resulting from cyanogen bromide cleavage of the 28 kDa GST isozyme revealed a class alpha GST consensus sequence. In addition, proteolytic digestion with alpha-chymotrypsin yielded peptide maps which showed distinct differences between the purified 28 kDa GST and another purified class alpha GST isozyme present in rabbit liver. These results provide evidence that class alpha GST isozymes containing a novel 28 kDa subunit are expressed following treatment with 4-picoline.

Glutathione transferases and cancer

The glutathione transferases, a family of multifunctional proteins, catalyze the glutathione conjugation reaction with electrophilic compounds biotransformed from xenobiotics, including carcinogens. In preneoplastic cells as well as neoplastic cells, specific molecular forms of glutathione transferase are known to be expressed and have been known to participate in the mechanisms of their resistance to drugs. In this article, following a brief description of recently identified molecular forms, we review new findings regarding the respective molecular forms involved in carcinogenesis and anticancer drug resistance, with particular emphasis on Pi class forms in preneoplastic tissues. The rat Pi class form, GST-P (GST 7-7), is strongly expressed not only in hepatic foci and hepatomas, but also in initiated cells that occur at the very early stages of chemical hepatocarcinogenesis, and is regarded as one of the most reliable markers for preneoplastic lesions in the rat liver. 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-responsive element-like sequences have been identified in upstream regions of the GST-P gene, and oncogene products c-jun and c-fos are suggested to activate the gene. The Pi-class forms possess unique enzymatic properties, including broad substrate specificity, glutathione peroxidase activity toward lipid hydroperoxides, low sensitivity to organic anion inhibitors, and high sensitivity to active oxygen species. The possible functions of Pi class glutathione transferases in neoplastic tissues and drug-resistant cells are discussed.

Molecular cloning and amino acid sequencing of rat liver class theta glutathione S-transferase Yrs-Yrs inactivating reactive sulfate esters of carcinogenic arylmethanols

A cDNA containing the entire coding sequence for the subunit protein of rat liver class theta glutathione S-transferase (GST) Yrs-Yrs was isolated from a rat liver lambda gt11 cDNA library. The cDNA, designated GST theta-1, consisted of 1,258 bp which had an open reading frame of 732 bp encoding a polypeptide of 244 amino acid (AA) residues, including the leading AA Met to be removed on expression. The authenticity of the cDNA structure was supported by matching its deduced AA sequence with N-termini of Yrs and peptides obtained thereof by tryptic digestion as well as by CNBr cleavage. The deduced AA sequence of the subunit Yrs (M.W. 27,311) had only a weak homology (19-23%) with those of rat liver classes alpha, mu, and pi GST isozymes. Thus, the first evidence for the molecular cloning of the class theta GST was provided.

An ethylene-responsive flower senescence-related gene from carnation encodes a protein homologous to glutathione S-transferases

Carnation flower petal senescence is associated with the expression of specific senescence-related mRNAs, several of which were previously cloned. The cDNA clone pSR8 represents a transcript which accumulates specifically in senescing flower petals in response to ethylene. Here we report the structural characterization of this cDNA. A second cDNA clone was isolated based on shared sequence homology with pSR8. This clone, pSR8.4, exhibited an overlapping restriction endonuclease map with pSR8 and contained an additional 300 nucleotides. Primer extension analysis revealed the combined cDNAs to be near full-length and the transcript to accumulate in senescing petals. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence of SR8 cDNAs revealed an open reading frame of 220 amino acids sufficient to encode a 25 kDa polypeptide. Comparison of the deduced polypeptide sequence of pSR8 with other peptide sequences revealed significant similarity with glutathione s-transferases from a variety of organisms. The predicted polypeptide sequence shared 44%, 53% and 52% homology with GSTs from maize, Drosophila and man, respectively. We discuss our results in relation to the biochemistry of flower petal senescence and the possible role of glutathione s-transferase in this developmental process.

Site-directed mutagenesis of glutathione S-transferase YaYa: nonessential role of histidine in catalysis

A cDNA encoding a rat liver glutathione S-transferase Ya subunit has been expressed in Escherichia coli and the expressed enzyme purified to homogeneity. In order to examine the catalytic role of histidine in the glutathione S-transferase Ya homodimer, site-directed mutagenesis was used to replace all three histidine residues (at positions 8, 143, and 159) by other amino acid residues. The replacement of histidine 8 or histidine 143 with valine did not affect the 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene-conjugating activity nor the isomerase activity. However, the replacement of histidine with valine at position 159 produced the mutant GST which exhibited only partial activity. A greater decrease in catalytic activity was observed by histidine----tyrosine or histidine----lysine replacement at position 159. On the other hand, the histidine 159----asparagine mutant retained full catalytic activity. Our results indicate that histidine residues in the Ya homodimer are not essential for catalytic activity. However, histidine 159 might be critical in maintaining the proper conformation of this enzyme since replacement of this amino acid by either lysine or tyrosine did result in significant loss of enzymatic activity.

Coamplification of mu class glutathione S-transferase genes and an adenylate deaminase gene in coformycin-resistant Chinese hamster fibroblasts

In Chinese hamster fibroblasts, we previously detected an expressed gene located near the AMP deaminase gene. This gene was named Y1. Upon selection for resistance to coformycin, an inhibitor of AMP deaminase activity, both genes were amplified in several mutants. We have determined the complete nucleotide sequence of Y1 cDNA and identified the Y1 gene as a mu class glutathione S-transferase gene by comparison with sequences present in a data bank. Accordingly, Y1-amplified mutants express an increased glutathione S-transferase activity toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene; this activity, as well as the abundance of the corresponding RNA, appears, however, to reach a limit despite further increase in the Y1 gene copy number during successive amplification steps. Southern blot experiments showed that Y1 belongs to a multigene family, all or part of which has been amplified in mutant lines. These data provide a method to amplify and to overexpress the mu class of the glutathione S-transferase gene family on the basis of its linkage with the AMP deaminase gene.

Mapping of class alpha glutathione S-transferase 2 (GST-2) genes to the vicinity of the d locus on mouse chromosome 9

Recombinant inbred strains of mice were used to localize the genes coding for the class alpha glutathione S-transferase 2 (Gst-2). The genes showed three distinct strain distribution patterns, indicating that they occur in at least three clusters separable by recombination. All three clusters are located in the vicinity of the d locus on mouse chromosome 9, but two of them are closer to d than the third. Linked to Gst-2 on mouse chromosome 9 are two enzyme-encoding loci, Pgm-3 and Mod-1. The human counterparts of Gst-2, Pgm-3, and Mod-1 map to 6p12, 6q12, and 6q12, respectively. Thus, the pericentric region of human chromosome 6 has its homolog in the segment spanning Gst-2, Pgm-3, and Mod-1 on mouse chromosome 9. The fact that the syntenic group extends across the centromere of human chromosome 6 can best be explained by a pericentric inversion postulated to have taken place in the primate lineage leading to Catarhini.

Expression in Escherichia coli of rat liver cytosolic glutathione S-transferase Yc cDNA

An expression plasmid, pKK-GTB2, containing the complete coding sequence of a rat liver glutathione S-transferase Yc subunit was constructed and expressed in Escherichia coli. The entire Yc cDNA sequence from plasmid pGTB42 (Telakowski-Hopskins et al., 1985, J. Biol. Chem. 260, 5820-5825) was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction, subcloned into modified expression vector A6316 (Schoner et al., 1986, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83, 8506-8510 and Linemeyer et al., 1987, Bio/Technology 5, 960-965) and transformed into E. coli strain AB1899. The colonies were screened by hybridization to pGTB42 and the production of Yc subunit was detected by immunoblot analysis. The purified recombinant Yc subunit was active in the conjugation and peroxidation reactions, and appeared homogeneous as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis. Amino acid sequencing of the expressed Yc subunit revealed that about 40% of the expressed protein was blocked at the N-terminus. Approximately 25% of the sequenceable protein (15% of total protein) contained the initiation methionine residue at the amino terminus whereas the rest of the sequenceable protein had proline as the N-terminus. In contrast, only one molecular species with Pro as the first amino acid was identified when the inducer isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside was omitted in the growth medium. Our observation indicated that under certain growth conditions, the enzymes responsible for protein maturation were not able to complete the processing of the overproduced recombinant Yc in E. coli.

Isolation and characterization of the rat glutathione S-transferase Yb1 subunit gene

We have isolated and characterized a rat liver glutathione S-transferase Yb1 subunit gene. DNA sequence analysis of the Yb1 subunit gene indicates that it comprises eight exons separated by seven introns and spans approximately 5.0 kb. The transcription initiation site has been mapped by primer extension experiments. Transcription begins at a guanine residue 29 nucleotides downstream from a "TATA" sequence. The DNA sequences of all exons and some introns share significant sequence identity with the corresponding exons and introns in the Yb2 subunit gene characterized by Tu and co-workers [J. Biol. Chem. 263, 11389-11395 (1988)]. The isolation and characterization of the glutathione S-transferase Yb1 gene will allow for a detailed analysis of regulatory elements required for transcriptional regulation of this gene.

Sequence analysis and expression of the bacterial dichloromethane dehalogenase structural gene, a member of the glutathione S-transferase supergene family

The nucleotide sequence of a cloned 2.8-kilobase-pair BamHI-PstI fragment containing dcmA, the dichloromethane dehalogenase structural gene from Methylobacterium sp. strain DM4, was determined. An open reading frame with a coding capacity of 287 amino acids (molecular weight, 37,430) was identified as dcmA by its agreement with the N-terminal amino acid sequence, the total amino acid composition, and the subunit size of the purified enzyme. Alignment of the deduced dichloromethane dehalogenase amino acid sequence with amino acid sequences of the functionally related eucaryotic glutathione S-transferases revealed three regions containing highly conserved amino acid residues and indicated that dcmA is a member of the glutathione S-transferase supergene family. The 5' terminus of in vivo dcmA transcripts was determined by nuclease S1 mapping to be 82 base pairs upstream of the GTG initiation codon of dcmA. Despite a putative promoter sequence with high resemblance to the Escherichia coli -10 and -35 consensus sequences, located at an appropriate distance from the transcription start point, dcmA was only marginally expressed in E. coli. The strong induction of dichloromethane dehalogenase in Methylobacterium sp. by dichloromethane was abolished by deleting the 1.3-kilobase-pair upstream region of dcmA. Plasmid constructs devoid of this region directed expression of dichloromethane dehalogenase at a constitutively induced level.

Purification and some properties of glutathione S-transferase from Escherichia coli B

Glutathione S-transferase was purified approximately 2,300-fold from cell extracts of Escherichia coli B with a 7.5% activity yield. The molecular weight of the enzyme was 45,000, and the enzyme appeared to consist of two homogeneous subunits. The enzyme was almost specific to 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (Km, 1.43 mM) and glutathione (Km, 0.33 mM). The optimal pH and optimal temperature for activity were 7.0 and 50 degrees C, respectively, and the enzyme was stable from pH 5 to 11. The activity of the enzyme for 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (3,2 mumol/min per mg of protein) was significantly lower than those of the enzymes from mammals, plants, and fungi.