Microsomal glutathione transferase. Purification in unactivated form and further characterization of the activation process, substrate specificity and amino acid composition

Deciphering mechanisms of UV filter (benzophenone-3)- and high temperature-induced adverse effects in the coral Acropora tenuis, using ecotoxicogenomics

Coral reefs are at risk of bleaching due to various environmental and anthropogenic stressors such as global warming and chemical pollutants. However, there is little understanding of stressor-specific mechanisms that cause coral bleaching. Therefore, conducting accurate ecotoxicological risk assessments and deciphering modes of action of potentially deleterious ultraviolet (UV) filters (sunscreen compounds) are crucial issues. In this study, we evaluated the toxicity and bleaching effect of benzophenone-3 (BP-3), which is widely used in sunscreen products, on the reef-building coral Acropora tenuis. Furthermore, to understand differences in UV filter- and temperature-induced adverse effects, a comparative ecotoxicogenomic approach using RNA-seq was integrated into a toxicity test to clarify differences in gene expression changes induced by BP-3 and heat stress (31 °C). The lethal concentration 50 % (LC50) was calculated as 3.9 mg/L, indicating that the aquatic environmental risk on corals posed by BP-3 was low based on the risk assessment in this study. Differentially expressed genes related to oxidative stress and extracellular matrix organization were involved in coral responses to both BP-3 and heat stress, but their patterns differed. Whereas immune and heat-shock responses were activated in response to heat stress, activation of a drug metabolism pathway and several signal transduction pathways were identified in BP-3 treatment groups. Our study enhances understanding of stress responses in corals induced by UV filters and thermal stress. Using potential gene markers identified in this study for eco-epidemiological surveys of stressed corals, we urgently need to develop effective countermeasures.

Quantitative proteome analysis of LAP1-deficient human fibroblasts: A pilot approach for predicting the signaling pathways deregulated in LAP1-associated diseases

Lamina-associated polypeptide 1 (LAP1), a ubiquitously expressed nuclear envelope protein, appears to be essential for the maintenance of cell homeostasis. Although rare, mutations in the human LAP1-encoding TOR1AIP1 gene cause severe diseases and can culminate in the premature death of affected individuals. Despite there is increasing evidence of the pathogenicity of TOR1AIP1 mutations, the current knowledge on LAP1's physiological roles in humans is limited; hence, investigation is required to elucidate the critical functions of this protein, which can be achieved by uncovering the molecular consequences of LAP1 depletion, a topic that remains largely unexplored. In this work, the proteome of patient-derived LAP1-deficient fibroblasts carrying a pathological TOR1AIP1 mutation (LAP1 E482A) was quantitatively analyzed to identify global changes in protein abundance levels relatively to control fibroblasts. An in silico functional enrichment analysis of the mass spectrometry-identified differentially expressed proteins was also performed, along with additional in vitro functional assays, to unveil the biological processes that are potentially dysfunctional in LAP1 E482A fibroblasts. Collectively, our findings suggest that LAP1 deficiency may induce significant alterations in various cellular activities, including DNA repair, messenger RNA degradation/translation, proteostasis and glutathione metabolism/antioxidant response. This study sheds light on possible new functions of human LAP1 and could set the basis for subsequent in-depth mechanistic investigations. Moreover, by identifying deregulated signaling pathways in LAP1-deficient cells, our work may offer valuable molecular targets for future disease-modifying therapies for TOR1AIP1-associated nuclear envelopathies.

A new understanding on the prerequisite of antibiotic biodegradation in wastewater treatment: Adhesive behavior between antibiotic-degrading bacteria and ciprofloxacin

The extensive exploration of antibiotic biodegradation by antibiotic-degrading bacteria in biological wastewater treatment processes has left a notable gap in understanding the behavior of these bacteria when exposed to antibiotics and the initiation of biodegradation processes. This study, therefore, delves into the adhesive behavior of Paraclostridium bifermentans, isolated from a bioreactor treating ciprofloxacin-laden wastewater, towards ciprofloxacin molecules. For the first time, this behavior is observed and characterized through quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) and atomic force microscopy. The investigation further extends to identify key regulatory factors and mechanisms governing this adhesive behavior through a comparative proteomics analysis. The results reveal the dominance of extracellular proteins, particularly those involved in nucleotide binding, hydrolase, and transferase, in the adhesion process. These proteins play pivotal roles through direct chemical binding and the regulation of signaling molecule. Furthermore, QCM-D measurements provide evidence that transferase-related signaling molecules, especially tyrosine, augment the binding between ciprofloxacin and transferases, resulting in enhance ciprofloxacin removal by P. bifermentans (increased by ∼1.2-fold). This suggests a role for transferase-related signaling molecules in manipulating the adhesive behavior of P. bifermentans towards ciprofloxacin. These findings contribute to a new understanding of the prerequisites for antibiotic biodegradation and offer potential strategies for improving the application of antibiotic-degrading bacteria in the treatment of antibiotics-laden wastewater.

Genome-Wide Identification, Evolution and Expression Analysis of the Glutathione S-Transferase Supergene Family in Euphorbiaceae

Euphorbiaceae, a family of plants mainly grown in the tropics and subtropics, is also widely distributed all over the world and is well known for being rich in rubber, oil, medicinal materials, starch, wood and other economically important plant products. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) constitute a family of proteins encoded by a large supergene family and are widely expressed in animals, bacteria, fungi and plants, but with few reports of them in Euphorbiaceae plants. These proteins participate in and regulate the detoxification and oxidative stress response of heterogeneous organisms, resistance to stress, growth and development, signal transduction and other related processes. In this study, we identified and analyzed the whole genomes of four species of Euphorbiaceae, namely Ricinus communis, Jatropha curcas, Hevea brasiliensis, and Manihot esculenta, which have high economic and practical value. A total of 244 GST genes were identified. Based on their sequence characteristics and conserved domain types, the GST supergene family in Euphorbiaceae was classified into 10 subfamilies. The GST supergene families of Euphorbiaceae and Arabidopsis have been found to be highly conserved in evolution, and tandem repeats and translocations in these genes have made the greatest contributions to gene amplification here and have experienced strong purification selection. An evolutionary analysis showed that Euphorbiaceae GST genes have also evolved into new subtribes (GSTO, EF1BG, MAPEG), which may play a specific role in Euphorbiaceae. An analysis of expression patterns of the GST supergene family in Euphorbiaceae revealed the functions of these GSTs in different tissues, including resistance to stress and participation in herbicide detoxification. In addition, an interaction analysis was performed to determine the GST gene regulatory mechanism. The results of this study have laid a foundation for further analysis of the functions of the GST supergene family in Euphorbiaceae, especially in stress and herbicide detoxification. The results have also provided new ideas for the study of the regulatory mechanism of the GST supergene family, and have provided a reference for follow-up genetics and breeding work.

Non-invasive methods for imaging hepatic steatosis and their clinical importance in NAFLD

Hepatic steatosis is a key histological feature of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The non-invasive quantification of liver fat is now possible due to advances in imaging modalities. Emerging data suggest that high levels of liver fat and its temporal change, as measured by quantitative non-invasive methods, might be associated with NAFLD progression. Ultrasound-based modalities have moderate diagnostic accuracy for liver fat content and are suitable for screening. However, of the non-invasive imaging modalities, MRI-derived proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) has the highest diagnostic accuracy and is used for trial enrolment and to evaluate therapeutic effects in early-phase clinical trials in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In patients with NAFLD without advanced fibrosis, high levels of liver fat are associated with rapid disease progression. Furthermore, changes on MRI-PDFF (≥30% decline relative to baseline) are associated with NAFLD activity score improvement and fibrosis regression. However, an inverse association exists between liver fat and complications of cirrhosis. Liver fat decreases as liver fibrosis progresses towards cirrhosis, and the clinical importance of quantitative measurements of liver fat differs by NAFLD status. As such, patients with NAFLD should be stratified by fibrosis severity to investigate the utility of quantitative measurements of liver fat for assessing NAFLD progression and prognosis.

The mercapturic acid pathway

The mercapturic acid pathway is a major route for the biotransformation of xenobiotic and endobiotic electrophilic compounds and their metabolites. Mercapturic acids (N-acetyl-l-cysteine S-conjugates) are formed by the sequential action of the glutathione transferases, γ-glutamyltransferases, dipeptidases, and cysteine S-conjugate N-acetyltransferase to yield glutathione S-conjugates, l-cysteinylglycine S-conjugates, l-cysteine S-conjugates, and mercapturic acids; these metabolites constitute a "mercapturomic" profile. Aminoacylases catalyze the hydrolysis of mercapturic acids to form cysteine S-conjugates. Several renal transport systems facilitate the urinary elimination of mercapturic acids; urinary mercapturic acids may serve as biomarkers for exposure to chemicals. Although mercapturic acid formation and elimination is a detoxication reaction, l-cysteine S-conjugates may undergo bioactivation by cysteine S-conjugate β-lyase. Moreover, some l-cysteine S-conjugates, particularly l-cysteinyl-leukotrienes, exert significant pathophysiological effects. Finally, some enzymes of the mercapturic acid pathway are described as the so-called "moonlighting proteins," catalytic proteins that exert multiple biochemical or biophysical functions apart from catalysis.

Dead-end complex, lipid interactions and catalytic mechanism of microsomal glutathione transferase 1, an electron crystallography and mutagenesis investigation

Microsomal glutathione transferase 1 (MGST1) is a detoxification enzyme belonging to the Membrane Associated Proteins in Eicosanoid and Glutathione Metabolism (MAPEG) superfamily. Here we have used electron crystallography of two-dimensional crystals in order to determine an atomic model of rat MGST1 in a lipid environment. The model comprises 123 of the 155 amino acid residues, two structured phospholipid molecules, two aliphatic chains and one glutathione (GSH) molecule. The functional unit is a homotrimer centered on the crystallographic three-fold axes of the unit cell. The GSH substrate binds in an extended conformation at the interface between two subunits of the trimer supported by new in vitro mutagenesis data. Mutation of Arginine 130 to alanine resulted in complete loss of activity consistent with a role for Arginine 130 in stabilizing the strongly nucleophilic GSH thiolate required for catalysis. Based on the new model and an electron diffraction data set from crystals soaked with trinitrobenzene, that forms a dead-end Meisenheimer complex with GSH, a difference map was calculated. The map reveals side chain movements opening a cavity that defines the second substrate site.

Global Kinetic Mechanism of Microsomal Glutathione Transferase 1 and Insights into Dynamic Enzyme Activation

Microsomal glutathione transferase 1 (MGST1) has a unique ability to be activated, ≤30-fold, by modification with sulfhydryl reagents. MGST1 exhibits one-third-of-the-sites reactivity toward glutathione and hence heterogeneous binding to different active sites in the homotrimer. Limited turnover stopped-flow kinetic measurements of the activated enzyme allowed us to more accurately determine the K_D for the "third" low-affinity GSH binding site (1.4 ± 0.3 mM). The rate of thiolate formation, k₂ (0.77 ± 0.06 s^-1), relevant to turnover, could also be determined. By deriving the steady-state rate equation for a random sequential mechanism for MGST1, we can predict K_M, k_cat, and k_cat/K_M values from these and previously determined pre-steady-state rate constants (all determined at 5 °C). To assess whether the pre-steady-state behavior can account for the steady-state kinetic behavior, we have determined experimental values for kinetic parameters at 5 °C. For reactive substrates and the activated enzyme, data for the microscopic steps account for the global mechanism of MGST1. For the unactivated enzyme and more reactive electrophilic substrates, pre-steady-state and steady-state data can be reconciled only if a more active subpopulation of MGST1 is assumed. We suggest that unactivated MGST1 can be partially activated in its unmodified form. The existence of an activated subpopulation (approximately 10%) could be demonstrated in limited turnover experiments. We therefore suggest that MSGT1 displays a preexisting dynamic equilibrium between high- and low-activity forms.

Lactococcus lactis is an Efficient Expression System for Mammalian Membrane Proteins Involved in Liver Detoxification, CYP3A4, and MGST1

Despite the great importance of human membrane proteins involved in detoxification mechanisms, their wide use for biochemical approaches is still hampered by several technical difficulties considering eukaryotic protein expression in order to obtain the large amounts of protein required for functional and/or structural studies. Lactococcus lactis has emerged recently as an alternative heterologous expression system to Escherichia coli for proteins that are difficult to express. The aim of this work was to check its ability to express mammalian membrane proteins involved in liver detoxification, i.e., CYP3A4 and two isoforms of MGST1 (rat and human). Genes were cloned using two different strategies, i.e., classical or Gateway-compatible cloning, and we checked the possible influence of two affinity tags (6×-His-tag and Strep-tag II). Interestingly, all proteins could be successfully expressed in L. lactis at higher yields than those previously obtained for these proteins with classical expression systems (E. coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae) or those of other eukaryotic membrane proteins expressed in L. lactis. In addition, rMGST1 was fairly active after expression in L. lactis. This study highlights L. lactis as an attractive system for efficient expression of mammalian detoxification membrane proteins at levels compatible with further functional and structural studies.

Catalytic Conversion of Lipophilic Substrates by Phase constrained Enzymes in the Aqueous or in the Membrane Phase

Both soluble and membrane-bound enzymes can catalyze the conversion of lipophilic substrates. The precise substrate access path, with regard to phase, has however, until now relied on conjecture from enzyme structural data only (certainly giving credible and valuable hypotheses). Alternative methods have been missing. To obtain the first experimental evidence directly determining the access paths (of lipophilic substrates) to phase constrained enzymes we here describe the application of a BODIPY-derived substrate (PS1). Using this tool, which is not accessible to cytosolic enzymes in the presence of detergent and, by contrast, not accessible to membrane embedded enzymes in the absence of detergent, we demonstrate that cytosolic and microsomal glutathione transferases (GSTs), both catalyzing the activation of PS1, do so only within their respective phases. This approach can serve as a guideline to experimentally validate substrate access paths, a fundamental property of phase restricted enzymes. Examples of other enzyme classes with members in both phases are xenobiotic-metabolizing sulphotransferases/UDP-glucuronosyl transferases or epoxide hydrolases. Since specific GSTs have been suggested to contribute to tumor drug resistance, PS1 can also be utilized as a tool to discriminate between phase constrained members of these enzymes by analyzing samples in the absence and presence of Triton X-100.

Short-Term Caloric Restriction Suppresses Cardiac Oxidative Stress and Hypertrophy Caused by Chronic Pressure Overload

BACKGROUND

Caloric restriction (CR) prevents senescent changes, in which reactive oxygen species (ROS) have a critical role. Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. We examined whether CR alters cardiac redox state and hypertrophy from chronic pressure overload.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Male c57BL6 mice were subjected to ascending aortic constriction (AAC) with ad libitum caloric intake (AL + AAC group) or 40% restricted caloric intake (CR + AAC group). CR was initiated 2 weeks before AAC and was continued for 4 weeks. Two weeks after constriction, AAC increased LV wall thickness, impaired transmitral flow velocity, and augmented myocyte hypertrophy and fibrosis, in association with enhancement of BNP and collagen III expressions in the AL + AAC group. In the AL + AAC group, oxidative stress in cardiac tissue and mitochondria were enhanced, and NADPH oxidase activity and mitochondrial ROS production were elevated. These changes were significantly attenuated in the CR + AAC group. Additionally, in antioxidant systems, myocardial glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were enhanced in the CR + AAC group.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic pressure overload increased cardiac oxidative damage, in association with cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. Short-term CR suppressed oxidative stress and improved cardiac function, suggesting that short-term CR could be a useful strategy to prevent pressure overload-induced cardiac injury.

Modulation of membrane-bound glutathione transferase activity by phospholipids including cardiolipin

Membrane-bound glutathione transferases (MGST1) distributed mostly in liver microsomal and mitochondrial membranes are activated by the thiol modification. In the present study, the effect of phospholipids on MGST1 activity was investigated using purified enzyme. When MGST1 was mixed with liposomes of cardiolipin (CL), phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylserine (PC), or phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), its activity was increased in a magnitude which was dependent on the anionic property of lipids in the order of CL>PS>PE>PC, indicating that MGST1 activity is enhanced by surrounding anionic lipids. Although MGST1 was activated by the thiol alkylation with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), the activation was suppressed in the presence of anionic phospholipids as clearly observed in the presence of CL. Similarly, the activation of MGST1 by diamide or diamide plus glutathione through disulfide-bond formation was also disturbed in the presence of CL. Suppression of NEM-derived MGST1 activation by CL was lost when MGST1 was incubated with CL in the presence of the detergent Triton X-100. These results indicate that reactivity (stability) of the thiol in MGST1 is affected by surrounding lipids, namely CL which prevents MGST1 activation by thiol modification. Since CL is a mitochondria specific lipid located in the inner membrane, it was suggested that function of mitochondrial MGST1 could be regulated by interaction with CL.

Characterization of new potential anticancer drugs designed to overcome glutathione transferase mediated resistance

Resistance against anticancer drugs remains a serious obstacle in cancer treatment. Here we used novel strategies to target microsomal glutathione transferase 1 (MGST1) and glutathione transferase pi (GSTP) that are often overexpressed in tumors and confer resistance against a number of cytostatic drugs, including cisplatin and doxorubicin (DOX). By synthetically combining cisplatin with a GST inhibitor, ethacrynic acid, to form ethacraplatin, it was previously shown that cytosolic GST inhibition was improved and that cells became more sensitive to cisplatin. Here we show that ethacraplatin is easily taken up by the cells and can reverse cisplatin resistance in MGST1 overexpressing MCF7 cells. A second and novel strategy to overcome GST mediated resistance involves using GST releasable cytostatic drugs. Here we synthesized two derivatives of DOX, 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonyl doxorubicin (DNS-DOX) and 4-mononitrobenzenesulfonyl doxorubicin (MNS-DOX) and showed that they are substrates for MGST1 and GSTP (releasing DOX). MGST1 overexpressing cells are resistant to DOX. The resistance is partially reversed by DNS-DOX. Interestingly, the less reactive MNS-DOX was more cytotoxic to cells overexpressing MGST1 than control cells. It would appear that, by controlling the reactivity of the prodrug, and thereby the DOX release rate, selective toxicity to MGST1 overexpressing cells can be achieved. In the case of V79 cells, DOX resistance proportional to GSTP expression levels was noted. In this case, not only was drug resistance eliminated by DNS-DOX but a striking GSTP-dependent increase in toxicity was observed in the clonogenic assay. In summary, MGST1 and GSTP resistance to cytostatic drugs can be overcome and cytotoxicity can be enhanced in GST overexpressing cells.

Synthesis and characterization of a series of highly fluorogenic substrates for glutathione transferases, a general strategy

Glutathione transferases (GSTs) are used in biotechnology applications as fusion partners for facile purification and are also overexpressed in certain tumors. Consequently, there is a need for sensitive detection of the enzymes. Here we describe a general strategy for the synthesis and characterization of novel fluorogenic substrates for GSTs. The substrates were synthesized by introducing an electrophilic sulfonamide linkage to fluorescent molecules containing an amino group [e.g., 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonamide (DNs) derivatives of coumarin, cresyl violet, and rhodamine]. The derivatives were essentially nonfluorescent, and upon GST catalyzed cleavage of the dinitrobenzenesulfonamide, free fluorophore is released (and 1-glutathionyl-2,4-dinitrobenzene + SO(2)). All the coumarin-, cresyl violet- and rhodamine-based fluorogenic probes turned out to be good substrates for most GSTs, especially for GSTA(1-1), in terms of strong fluorescence increases (71-1200-fold), high k(cat)/K(m) values (10(4)-10(7) M(-1) s(-1)) and significant rate enhancements (10(6)-10(9)-fold). The substrates were successfully applied to quantitate very low levels of GST activity in cell extracts and DNs-cresyl violet was also successfully applied to the imaging of microsomal MGST(1) activity in living cells. The cresyl violet stained cells retained their fluorescence after fixation, which is a very useful property. In summary, we describe a general and versatile strategy to generate fluorogenic GST substrates, some of them providing the most sensitive assays so far described for GSTs.

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.

Role of MGST1 in reactive intermediate-induced injury

Microsomal glutathione transferase (MGST1, EC 2.5.1.18) is a membrane bound glutathione transferase extensively studied for its ability to detoxify reactive intermediates, including metabolic electrophile intermediates and lipophilic hydroperoxides through its glutathione dependent transferase and peroxidase activities. It is expressed in high amounts in the liver, located both in the endoplasmic reticulum and the inner and outer mitochondrial membranes. This enzyme is activated by oxidative stress. Binding of GSH and modification of cysteine 49 (the oxidative stress sensor) has been shown to increase activation and induce conformational changes in the enzyme. These changes have either been shown to enhance the protective effect ascribed to this enzyme or have been shown to contribute to cell death through mitochondrial permeability transition pore formation. The purpose of this review is to elucidate how one enzyme found in two places in the cell subjected to the same conditions of oxidative stress could both help protect against and contribute to reactive oxygen species-induced liver injury.

Mitochondrial glutathione transferases involving a new function for membrane permeability transition pore regulation

The mitochondria in mammalian cells are a predominant resource of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are produced during respiration-coupled oxidative metabolism or various chemical stresses. End-products from membrane-lipid peroxidation caused by ROS are highly toxic, thereby their elimination/scavenging are protective of mitochondria and cells against oxidative damages. In mitochondria, soluble (kappa, alpha, mu, pi, zeta) and membrane-bound glutathione transferases (GSTs) (MGST1) are distributed. Mitochondrial GSTs display both glutathione transferase and peroxidase activities that detoxify such harmful products through glutathione (GSH) conjugation or GSH-mediated peroxide reduction. Some GST isoenzymes are induced by oxidative stress, an adaptation mechanism for the protection of cells from oxidative stress. Membrane-bound MGST1 is activated through the thiol modification in oxidative conditions. Protective action of MGST1 against oxidative stress has been confirmed using MCF7 cells highly expressed of MGST1. In recent years, mitochondria have been recognized as a regulator of cell death via both apoptosis and necrosis, where oxidative stress-induced alteration of the membrane permeability is an important step. Recent studies have shown that MGST1 in the inner mitochondrial membrane could interact with the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) regulator proteins, such as adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT) and/or cyclophilin D, and could contribute to oxidant-induced MPT pores. Interaction of GST alpha with ANT has also been shown. In this review, functions of the mitochondrial GSTs, including a new role for mitochondria-mediated cell death, are described.

Arginine 104 is a key catalytic residue in leukotriene C4 synthase

Human leukotriene C(4) synthase (hLTC(4)S) is an integral membrane enzyme that conjugates leukotriene (LT) A(4) with glutathione to form LTC(4), a precursor to the cysteinyl leukotrienes (LTC(4), LTD(4), and LTE(4)) that are involved in the pathogenesis of human bronchial asthma. From the crystal structure of hLTC(4)S, Arg-104 and Arg-31 have been implicated in the conjugation reaction. Here, we used site-directed mutagenesis, UV spectroscopy, and x-ray crystallography to examine the catalytic role of Arg-104 and Arg-31. Exchange of Arg-104 with Ala, Ser, Thr, or Lys abolished 94.3-99.9% of the specific activity against LTA(4). Steady-state kinetics of R104A and R104S revealed that the K(m) for GSH was not significantly affected. UV difference spectra of the binary enzyme-GSH complex indicated that GSH ionization depends on the presence of Arg-104 because no thiolate signal, with λ(max) at 239 nm, could be detected using R104A or R104S hLTC(4)S. Apparently, the interaction of Arg-104 with the thiol group of GSH reduces its pK(a) to allow formation of a thiolate anion and subsequent nucleophilic attack at C6 of LTA(4). On the other hand, exchange of Arg-31 with Ala or Glu reduced the catalytic activity of hLTC(4)S by 88 and 70%, respectively, without significantly affecting the k(cat)/K(m) values for GSH, and a crystal structure of R31Q hLTC(4)S (2.1 Å) revealed a Gln-31 side chain pointing away from the active site. We conclude that Arg-104 plays a critical role in the catalytic mechanism of hLTC(4)S, whereas a functional role of Arg-31 seems more elusive. Because Arg-104 is a conserved residue, our results pertain to other homologous membrane proteins and represent a structure-function paradigm probably common to all microsomal GSH transferases.

Microsomal glutathione transferase 1 exhibits one-third-of-the-sites-reactivity towards glutathione

The trimeric membrane protein microsomal glutathione transferase 1 (MGST1) possesses glutathione transferase and peroxidase activity. Previous data indicated one active site/trimer whereas structural data suggests three GSH-binding sites. Here we have determined ligand interactions of MGST1 by several techniques. Nanoelectrospray mass spectrometry of native MGST1 revealed binding of three GSH molecules/trimer and equilibrium dialysis showed three product molecules/trimer (K(d)=320+/-50 microM). All three product molecules could be competed out with GSH. Reinvestigation of GSH-binding showed one high affinity site per trimer, consistent with earlier data. Using single turnover stopped flow kinetic measurements, K(d) could be determined for a low affinity GSH-binding site (2.5+/-0.5 mM). Thus we can reconcile previous observations and show here that MGST1 contains three active sites with different affinities for GSH and that only the high affinity site is catalytically competent.

Role of microsomal glutathione transferase 1 in the mechanism-based biotransformation of glyceryl trinitrate in LLC-PK1 cells

Although glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) has been used in the treatment of angina for many years, details of its conversion to the proximal activator (presumed to be NO or an NO congener) of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) are still unclear. We reported previously that purified microsomal glutathione transferase 1 (MGST1) mediates the denitration of GTN. In the current study, we investigated in intact cells whether this enzyme also converts GTN to species that activate sGC (mechanism-based biotransformation). We utilized LLC-PK1 cells, a cell line with an intact NO/sGC/cGMP system, and generated a stable cell line that overexpressed MGST1. MGST1 in the stably transfected cells was localized to the endoplasmic reticulum, and microsomes from these cells exhibited markedly increased GST activity. Although incubation of these cells with GTN resulted in a 3-4-fold increase in GTN biotransformation, attributed primarily to an increase in formation of the 1,3-glyceryl dinitrate metabolite, GTN-induced cGMP accumulation in cells overexpressing MGST1 was not different than that observed in wild type cells or in cells stably transfected with empty vector. To determine whether overexpression of NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase might act in concert with MGST1 to generate activators of sGC, we assessed GTN-induced cGMP accumulation in MGST1-overexpressing cells that had been transiently transfected with CPR. In this case, GTN-induced cGMP accumulation was also not different than that observed in wild type cells. We conclude that although MGST1 mediates the biotransformation of GTN in intact cells, this biotransformation does not contribute to the formation of activators of sGC.

The Janus face of alcohol dehydrogenase 3

Many carbonyl metabolizing enzymes are equally involved in xenobiotic and endogenous metabolism, but few have been investigated in terms of substrate competition and interference between different cellular pathways. Mammalian alcohol dehydrogenase 3 (ADH3) represents the key enzyme in the formaldehyde detoxification pathway by oxidation of S-hydroxymethylglutathione [HMGSH; the glutathione (GSH) adduct of formaldehyde]. In addition, several studies have established ADH3 as S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) reductase in endogenous NO homeostasis during the last decade. GSNO depletion associates with various diseases including asthma, and evidence for a causal relationship between ADH3 and asthma pathology has been put forward. In a recent study, we showed that ADH3-mediated alcohol oxidation, including HMGSH oxidation, is accelerated in presence of GSNO which is concurrently reduced under immediate cofactor recycling [C.A. Staab, J. Alander, M. Brandt, J. Lengqvist, R. Morgenstern, R.C. Grafström, J.-O. Höög, Reduction of S-nitrosoglutathione by alcohol dehydrogenase 3 is facilitated by substrate alcohols via direct cofactor recycling and leads to GSH-controlled formation of glutathione transferase inhibitors, Biochem. J. 413 (2008) 493-504]. Thus, considering the usually low cytosolic free NADH/NAD(+) ratio, formaldehyde may trigger and promote GSNO reduction by enzyme-bound cofactor recycling. These findings provided evidence for formaldehyde-induced, ADH3-mediated GSNO depletion with potential direct implications for asthma. Furthermore, analysis of product formation as a function of GSH concentrations suggested that, under conditions of oxidative stress, GSNO reduction can lead to the formation of glutathione sulfinamide and its hydrolysis product glutathione sulfinic acid, both potent inhibitors of glutathione transferase activity.

Reduction of S-nitrosoglutathione by alcohol dehydrogenase 3 is facilitated by substrate alcohols via direct cofactor recycling and leads to GSH-controlled formation of glutathione transferase inhibitors

GSNO (S-nitrosoglutathione) is emerging as a key regulator in NO signalling as it is in equilibrium with S-nitrosated proteins. Accordingly, it is of great interest to investigate GSNO metabolism in terms of competitive pathways and redox state. The present study explored ADH3 (alcohol dehydrogenase 3) in its dual function as GSNOR (GSNO reductase) and glutathione-dependent formaldehyde dehydrogenase. The glutathione adduct of formaldehyde, HMGSH (S-hydroxymethylglutathione), was oxidized with a kcat/Km value approx. 10 times the kcat/Km value of GSNO reduction, as determined by fluorescence spectroscopy. HMGSH oxidation in vitro was greatly accelerated in the presence of GSNO, which was concurrently reduced under cofactor recycling. Hence, considering the high cytosolic NAD+/NADH ratio, formaldehyde probably triggers ADH3-mediated GSNO reduction by enzyme-bound cofactor recycling and might result in a decrease in cellular S-NO (S-nitrosothiol) content in vivo. Formaldehyde exposure affected S-NO content in cultured cells with a trend towards decreased levels at concentrations of 1–5 mM, in agreement with the proposed mechanism. Product formation after GSNO reduction to the intermediate semimercaptal responded to GSH/GSNO ratios; ratios up to 2-fold allowed the spontaneous rearrangement to glutathione sulfinamide, whereas 5-fold excess of GSH favoured the interception of the intermediate to form glutathione disulfide. The sulfinamide and its hydrolysis product, glutathione sulfinic acid, inhibited GST (glutathione transferase) activity. Taken together, the findings of the present study provide indirect evidence for formaldehyde as a physiological trigger of GSNO depletion and show that GSNO reduction can result in the formation of GST inhibitors, which, however, is prevented under normal cellular redox conditions.

MITOCHIP assessment of differential gene expression in the skeletal muscle of Ant1 knockout mice: coordinate regulation of OXPHOS, antioxidant, and apoptotic genes

Genetic inactivation of the nuclear-encoded mitochondrial heart-muscle adenine nucleotide translocator-1 (ANT1), which exports mitochondrial ATP to the cytosol in both humans (ANT1-/-) and mice (Ant1-/-), results in lactic acidosis and mitochondrial cardiomyopathy and myopathy, the latter involving hyper-proliferation of mitochondria, induction of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) enzymes, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), and excessive mtDNA damage. To understand these manifestations, we analyzed Ant1-/- mouse skeletal muscle for changes in gene expression using our custom 644 and 1087 gene MITOCHIP microarrays and for changes in the protein levels of key mitochondrial transcription factors. Thirty-four mRNAs were found to be up-regulated and 29 mRNAs were down-regulated. Up-regulated mRNAs included the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polypeptide and rRNA genes, selected nuclear-encoded OXPHOS genes, and stress-response genes including Mcl-1. Down-regulated mRNAs included glycolytic genes, pro-apoptotic genes, and c-Myc. The mitochondrial regulatory proteins Pgc-1alpha, Nrf-1, Tfam, and myogenin were up-regulated and could account for the induction of the OXPHOS and antioxidant enzymes. By contrast, c-Myc levels were reduced and might account for a reduction in apoptotic potential. Therefore, the Ant1-/- mouse skeletal muscle demonstrates that energy metabolism, antioxidant defenses, and apoptosis form an integrated metabolic network.

Characterization of Taenia solium cysticerci microsomal glutathione S-transferase activity

Glutathione S-transferase activity has been shown to be associated with the microsomal fraction of Taenia solium. Electron microscopy and subcellular enzyme markers indicate the purity of the microsomal fraction that contains the glutathione S-transferase activity. T. solium microsomes were solubilized under conditions used to solubilize integral microsomal proteins. This procedure proved necessary to obtain enzymatic activity. To characterize this parasite enzyme activity, several substrates and inhibitors were used. The optimum activity for microsomal glutathione S-transferase was found to be pH 6.6, with a specific enzyme activity of 0.9, 0.1, 0.067, 0.03, and 0.05 micromol min(-1) mg(-1) with the substrates 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene, 4-hydroxynonenal, 2,4-hexadienal, and trans-2-nonenal, respectively. No activity of glutathione peroxidase was observed. T. solium microsomes had an appKm (GSH)=0.161 microM, appKm (CDNB)=14.5 microM, and appVmax of 0.15 and 27.9 micromol min(-1) mg(-1) for GSH and CDNB, respectively. T. solium microsomes were inhibited by several glutathione S-transferase enzyme inhibitors, and it was possible to establish a simple inhibition system as well as corresponding Ki's for each inhibitor. These results indicate that the T. solium microsomal glutathione S-transferase is different from the parasite cytoplasmic enzymes that catalyze similar reactions.

Protection of cells from oxidative stress by microsomal glutathione transferase 1

Rat liver microsomal glutathione transferase 1 (MGST1) is a membrane-bound enzyme that displays both glutathione transferase and glutathione peroxidase activities. We hypothesized that physiologically relevant levels of MGST1 is able to protect cells from oxidative damage by lowering intracellular hydroperoxide levels. Such a role of MGST1 was studied in human MCF7 cell line transfected with rat liver mgst1 (sense cell) and with antisense mgst1 (antisense cell). Cytotoxicities of two hydroperoxides (cumene hydroperoxide (CuOOH) and hydrogen peroxide) were determined in both cell types using short-term and long-term cytotoxicity assays. MGST1 significantly protected against CuOOH and against hydrogen peroxide (although less pronounced and only in short-term tests). These results demonstrate that MGST1 can protect cells from both lipophilic and hydrophilic hydroperoxides, of which only the former is a substrate. After CuOOH exposure MGST1 significantly lowered intracellular ROS as determined by FACS analysis.

Inhibition of cytosolic glutathione S-transferase activity from rat liver by copper

H(2)O(2) inactivation of particular GST isoforms has been reported, with no information regarding the overall effect of other ROS on cytosolic GST activity. The present work describes the inactivation of total cytosolic GST activity from liver rats by the oxygen radical-generating system Cu(2+)/ascorbate. We have previously shown that this system may change some enzymatic activities of thiol proteins through two mechanisms: ROS-induced oxidation and non-specific Cu(2+) binding to protein thiol groups. In the present study, we show that nanomolar Cu(2+) in the absence of ascorbate did not modify total cytosolic GST activity; the same concentrations of Cu(2+) in the presence of ascorbate, however, inhibited this activity. Micromolar Cu(2+) in either the absence or presence of ascorbate inhibited cytosolic GST activity. Kinetic studies show that GSH but no 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene prevent the inhibition on cytosolic GST induced by micromolar Cu(2+) either in the absence or presence of ascorbate. On the other hand, NEM and mersalyl acid, both thiol-alkylating agents, inhibited GST activity with differential reactivity in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, these results suggest that an inhibitory Cu(2+)-binding effect is likely to be negligible on the overall inhibition of cytosolic GST activity observed by the Cu(2+)/ascorbate system. We discuss how modification of GST-thiol groups is related to the inhibition of cytosolic GST activity.

Further evidence that rat liver microsomal glutathione transferase 1 is not a cellular protein target for S-nitrosylation

By adopting biotin switch method, we recently reported that liver microsomal glutathione transferase 1 (MGST1) might not be a protein target for S-nitrosylation in rat microsomes or in vivo. However, alternative analytic methods are needed to confirm this observation, as a single biotin switch method in judging specific protein S-nitrosylation in biological samples is increasingly recognized as insufficient, or even unreliable. Besides, only MGST1 localized on endoplasmic reticulum (ER), but not mitochondria which favors protein S-nitrosylation was examined in the previous report. Present study was therefore carried out to address these issues. Primary cultured hepatocytes were used. A physiological existing nitric oxide (NO) donor S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) was adopted to trigger protein S-nitrosylation. MGST1 was immunoprecipitated and its S-nitrosothiol content was measured by the NO probe 2,3-diaminonaphthalene. In parallel, S-nitrosylated proteins were immunoprecipitated by a monoclonal anti-S-nitrosocysteine antibody and probed with an anti-MGST1 antibody. In hepatocytes, neither ER nor mitochondria were found to contain S-nitrosylated MGST1 after GSNO treatment, showing that differently distributed MGST1 was consistently un-nitrosylable in the cellular environment. But under broken cell conditions, when samples were incubated directly with GSNO, MGST1 S-nitrosylation was indeed detectable in both the microsomal and mitochondrial proteins, indicating that previous failure in detecting MGST1 S-nitrosylation in microsomes is due to the limitations of biotin switch method. These results clearly, if not definitely, demonstrate that MGST1 is not a ready candidate for S-nitrosylation in the cellular content, despite its susceptibility to S-nitrosylation under broken cell conditions.

Structural Basis for Detoxification and Oxidative Stress Protection in Membranes

Synthesis of mediators of fever, pain and inflammation as well as protection against reactive molecules and oxidative stress is a hallmark of the MAPEG superfamily (membrane associated proteins in eicosanoid and glutathione metabolism). The structure of a MAPEG member, rat microsomal glutathione transferase 1, at 3.2 A resolution, solved here in complex with glutathione by electron crystallography, defines the active site location and a cytosolic domain involved in enzyme activation. The glutathione binding site is found to be different from that of the canonical soluble glutathione transferases. The architecture of the homotrimer supports a catalytic mechanism involving subunit interactions and reveals both cytosolic and membraneous substrate entry sites, providing a rationale for the membrane location of the enzyme.

Glutathione transferases in the genomics era: new insights and perspectives

In the last decade the tumultuous development of "omics" greatly improved our ability to understand protein structure, function and evolution, and to define their roles and networks in complex biological processes. This fast accumulating knowledge holds great potential for biotechnological applications, from the development of biomolecules with novel properties of industrial and medical importance, to the creation of transgenic organisms with new, favorable characteristics. This review focuses on glutathione transferases (GSTs), an ancient protein superfamily with multiple roles in all eukaryotic organisms, and attempts to give an overview of the new insights and perspectives provided by omics into the biology of these proteins. Among the aspects considered are the redefinition of GST subfamilies, their evolution in connection with structurally related families, present and future biotechnological outcomes.

Biotransformation of Glyceryl Trinitrate by Rat Hepatic Microsomal GlutathioneS-Transferase 1

Although the biotransformation of organic nitrates by the cytosolic glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) is well known, the relative contribution of the microsomal GST (MGST1) to nitrate biotransformation has not been described. We therefore compared the denitration of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) by purified rat liver MGST1 and cytosolic GSTs. Both MGST1 and cytosolic GSTs catalyzed the denitration of GTN, but the activity of MGST1 toward GTN was 2- to 3-fold higher. To mimic oxidative/nitrosative stress in vitro, we treated enzyme preparations with hydrogen peroxide, S-nitrosoglutathione, and peroxynitrite. Both oxidants and nitrating reagents increased the activity of MGST1 toward the GST substrate, 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) whereas these treatments inhibited GTN denitration by MGST1. Alkylation of the sole cysteine residue of MGST1 by N-ethylmaleimide markedly increased enzyme activity with CDNB as substrate but decreased the rate of GTN denitration. In aortic microsomes from GTN-tolerant animals, there was a decreased abundance of MGST1 dimers and trimers. In hepatic microsomes from GTN-tolerant animals, GTN biotransformation was unaltered whereas the rate of CDNB conjugation was doubled, suggesting that chronic GTN exposure causes structural modifications to the enzyme, resulting in increased activity to certain substrates. Collectively, these data indicate that MGST1 contributes significantly to the biotransformation of GTN and that chemical modification of the microsomal enzyme has differential effects on the catalytic activity toward different substrates.

Reactive nitrogen species derived activation of rat liver microsomal glutathione S-transferase

The effect of reactive nitrogen species on rat liver microsomal glutathione S-transferase (MGST1) was investigated using microsomes and purified MGST1. When microsomes or the purified enzyme were incubated with peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)), the GST activity was increased to 2.5-6.5 fold in concentration-dependent manner and a small amount of the MGST1 dimer was detected. MGST1 activity was increased by ONOO(-) in the presence of high amounts of reducing agents including glutathione (GSH) and the activities increased by ONOO(-) or ONOO(-) plus GSH treatment were decreased by 30-40% by further incubation with dithiothreitol (DTT, reducing disulfide) or by sodium arsenite (reducing sulfenic acid). Furthermore, GSH was detected by HPLC from the MGST1 which was incubated with ONOO(-) plus GSH or S-nitrosoglutathione followed by DTT treatment. In addition, the MGST1 activity increased by nitric oxide (NO) donors such as S-nitrosoglutathione, S-nitrosocysteine or the non-thiol NO donor 1-hydroxy-2-oxo-3 (3-aminopropyl)-3-isopropyl was restored by the DTT treatment. Since DTT can reduce S-nitrosothiol and disulfide bond to thiol, S-nitrosylation and a mixed disulfide bond formation of MGST1 were suggested. Thus, it was demonstrated that MGST1 is activated by reactive nitrogen species through a forming dimeric protein, mixed disulfide bond, nitrosylation and sulfenic acid.

Analysis of the glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene family

The glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene family encodes genes that are critical for certain life processes, as well as for detoxication and toxification mechanisms, via conjugation of reduced glutathione (GSH) with numerous substrates such as pharmaceuticals and environmental pollutants. The GST genes are upregulated in response to oxidative stress and are inexplicably overexpressed in many tumours, leading to problems during cancer chemotherapy. An analysis of the GST gene family in the Human Genome Organization-sponsored Human Gene Nomenclature Committee database showed 21 putatively functional genes. Upon closer examination, however, GST-kappa 1 (GSTK1), prostaglandin E synthase (PTGES) and three microsomal GSTs (MGST1, MGST2, MGST3) were determined as encoding membrane-bound enzymes having GST-like activity, but these genes are not evolutionarily related to the GST gene family. It is concluded that the complete GST gene family comprises 16 genes in six subfamilies--alpha (GSTA), mu (GSTM), omega (GSTO), pi (GSTP), theta (GSTT) and zeta (GSTZ).

Bioinformatic and enzymatic characterization of the MAPEG superfamily

The membrane associated proteins in eicosanoid and glutathione metabolism (MAPEG) superfamily includes structurally related membrane proteins with diverse functions of widespread origin. A total of 136 proteins belonging to the MAPEG superfamily were found in database and genome screenings. The members were found in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, but not in any archaeal organism. Multiple sequence alignments and calculations of evolutionary trees revealed a clear subdivision of the eukaryotic MAPEG members, corresponding to the six families of microsomal glutathione transferases (MGST) 1, 2 and 3, leukotriene C4 synthase (LTC4), 5-lipoxygenase activating protein (FLAP), and prostaglandin E synthase. Prokaryotes contain at least two distinct potential ancestral subfamilies, of which one is unique, whereas the other most closely resembles enzymes that belong to the MGST2/FLAP/LTC4 synthase families. The insect members are most similar to MGST1/prostaglandin E synthase. With the new data available, we observe that fish enzymes are present in all six families, showing an early origin for MAPEG family differentiation. Thus, the evolutionary origins and relationships of the MAPEG superfamily can be defined, including distinct sequence patterns characteristic for each of the subfamilies. We have further investigated and functionally characterized representative gene products from Escherichia coli, Synechocystis sp., Arabidopsis thaliana and Drosophila melanogaster, and the fish liver enzyme, purified from pike (Esox lucius). Protein overexpression and enzyme activity analysis demonstrated that all proteins catalyzed the conjugation of 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene with reduced glutathione. The E. coli protein displayed glutathione transferase activity of 0.11 micromol.min(-1).mg(-1) in the membrane fraction from bacteria overexpressing the protein. Partial purification of the Synechocystis sp. protein yielded an enzyme of the expected molecular mass and an N-terminal amino acid sequence that was at least 50% pure, with a specific activity towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene of 11 micromol.min(-1).mg(-1). Yeast microsomes expressing the Arabidopsis enzyme showed an activity of 0.02 micromol.min(-1).mg(-1), whereas the Drosophila enzyme expressed in E. coli was highly active at 3.6 micromol.min(-1).mg(-1). The purified pike enzyme is the most active MGST described so far with a specific activity of 285 micromol.min(-1).mg(-1). Drosophila and pike enzymes also displayed glutathione peroxidase activity towards cumene hydroperoxide (0.4 and 2.2 micromol.min(-1).mg(-1), respectively). Glutathione transferase activity can thus be regarded as a common denominator for a majority of MAPEG members throughout the kingdoms of life whereas glutathione peroxidase activity occurs in representatives from the MGST1, 2 and 3 and PGES subfamilies.

Microsomal Glutathione Transferase 1

Microsomal glutathione transferase 1 (MGST1) is an abundant membrane-bound glutathione transferase and peroxidase constituting 3% of the endoplasmic reticulum protein in rat liver (and 5% of the outer mitochondrial membrane). The enzyme is most well studied in mammals and belongs to a large and widely distributed superfamily. Cellular and organelle protection versus oxidative stress has been demonstrated. The enzyme displays activity to a multitude of reactive substrates ranging from products of lipid peroxidation to cytostatic drugs. The methods developed for the study of MGST1 by necessity differs from that of cytosolic glutathione transferases, because detergents or lipids are included. Here, purification, assay, and preparation procedures that maintain the enzyme in its native functional state during isolation and characterization are described. Microsomal glutathione transferase 1 is activated by sulfhydryl reagents (and proteolysis), and procedures for activation and study of the activated enzyme are described. In new developments, the enzyme is studied by pre-steady state methods, as well as mass spectrometry involving direct observation of the native enzyme.

Possible mechanisms underlying copper-induced damage in biological membranes leading to cellular toxicity

It is generally accepted that copper toxicity is a consequence of the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by copper ions via Fenton or Haber-Weiss reactions. Copper ions display high affinity for thiol and amino groups occurring in proteins. Thus, specialized proteins containing clusters of these groups transport and store copper ions, hampering their potential toxicity. This mechanism, however, may be overwhelmed under copper overloading conditions, in which copper ions may bind to thiol groups occurring in proteins non-related to copper metabolism. In this study, we propose that indiscriminate copper binding may lead to damaging consequences to protein structure, modifying their biological functions. Therefore, we treated liver subcellular membrane fractions, including microsomes, with Cu2+ ions either alone or in the presence of ascorbate (Cu2+/ascorbate); we then assayed both copper-binding to membranes, and microsomal cytochrome P450 oxidative system and GSH-transferase activities. All assayed sub-cellular membrane fractions treated with Cu2+ alone displayed Cu2+-binding, which was significantly increased in the presence of Zn2+, Hg2+, Cd2+, Ag+1 and As3+. Treatment of microsomes with Cu2+ in the microM range decreased the microsomal thiol content; in the presence of ascorbate, Cu2+ added in the nM concentrations range induced a significant microsomal lipoperoxidation; noteworthy, increasing Cu2+ concentration to > or =50 microM led to non-detectable lipoperoxidation levels. On the other hand, microM Cu2+ led to the inhibition of the enzymatic activities tested to the same extent in either presence or absence of ascorbate. We discuss the possible significance of indiscriminate copper binding to thiol proteins as a possible mechanism underlying copper-induced toxicity.

In vitro biotransformation of 3,4-dihydro-6-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-7-methoxy-1(2H)-benzopyran (CR-6), a potent lipid peroxidation inhibitor and nitric oxide scavenger, in rat liver microsomes

The in vitro metabolism of 3,4-dihydro-6-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-7-methoxy-1(2H)-benzopyran (CR-6), a potent lipid peroxidation inhibitor and scavenger of nitric oxide and peroxynitrite species that is currently in phase II trials for antitumoral therapy, has been investigated in rat liver microsomes in the presence of NADP(H). Five major metabolites were identified by comparison with authentic standards, namely, the quinone 2-(3'-hydroxy-3'-methylbutyl-5-methoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (2a) and its ring-closed spiro form oxaspiro[4.5]-2,2-dimethyl-8-methoxy-dec-8-ene-7,10-dione (2b), the hydroquinone 2-(3'-hydroxy-3'-methylbutyl)-5-methoxyhydroquinone (3), the hydroxylated metabolite 3,4-dihydro-4,6-dihydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-7-methoxy-1(2H)-benzopyran (4), and the catechol 3,4-dihydro-6,7-dihydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-1(2H)-benzopyran (5). When the incubations were carried out in the presence of GSH, the HPLC peaks corresponding to the quinone metabolites 2a/b were absent and two novel products were formed showing MS fragmentation patterns consistent with the structure of GSH conjugates of quinone 2a. The time dependence on the formation of metabolites 2a,b and 3 was measured in incubations induced with phenobarbital (PB), dexamethasone, and beta-naphthoflavone (betaNF). For the dexamethasone-induced microsomes, the amount of hydroquinone 3 decreased from minute 10 to minute 30 while that of 2a,b increased in a complementary manner. Similar effects were observed for the incubations carried out using PB- and betaNF-induced microsomes. On the other hand, CR-6 inhibited 7-ethoxyresorufin O-dealkylation activity (IC(50) = 25 microM) in incubations with betaNF-induced microsomes. Likewise, addition of pentoxyresorufin to the incubations of CR-6 with PB-induced microsomes showed a time-dependent inhibition (IC(50)= 75 microM) of the dealkylation activity. These results are in agreement with the putative generation of reactive metabolites from CR-6 that could deactivate P450 1A and P450 2B, respectively. When these incubations were carried out in the presence of 10 mM GSH, the inhibition of P450 2B could be partially prevented. Finally, preincubation of CR-6 with liver microsomes from PB-induced rats resulted in a strong increase in microsomal glutathione S-transferase (mGST) activity (up to a maximum of approximately 5-fold). When the preincubation was carried out in the presence of 10 mM GSH, the activation of mGST was blocked. Overall, these results suggest that CR-6 undergoes in vitro biotransformation indicative of the involvement of thiol-reactive metabolites.

Does glutathione S-transferase Pi (GST-Pi) a marker protein for cancer?

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs, EC 2.5.1.18) are multifunctional and multigene products. They are versatile enzymes and participate in the nucleophilic attack of the sulphur atom of glutathione on the electrophilic centers of various endogenous and xenobiotic compounds. Out of the five, alpha, micro, pi, sigma and theta, major classes of GSTs, GST-pi has significance in the diagnosis of cancers as it is expressed abundantly in tumor cells. This protein is a single gene product, coded by seven exons, that is having 24 kDa mass and pI value of 7.0. Four upstream elements such as two enhancers, and one of each of AP-1 site and GC box regulate pi gene. During chemical carcinogenesis because of jun/fos oncogenes (AP-1) regulatory elements, specifically GST-pi is expressed in liver. Therefore this gene product could be used as marker protein for the detection of chemical toxicity and carcinogenesis.

Stress Sensor Triggers Conformational Response of the Integral Membrane Protein Microsomal Glutathione Transferase 1†

Microsomal glutathione (GSH) transferase 1 (MGST1) is a trimeric, integral membrane protein involved in cellular response to chemical or oxidative stress. The cytosolic domain of MGST1 harbors the GSH binding site and a cysteine residue (C49) that acts as a sensor of oxidative and chemical stress. Spatially resolved changes in the kinetics of backbone amide H/D exchange reveal that the binding of a single molecule of GSH/trimer induces a cooperative conformational transition involving movements of the transmembrane helices and a reordering of the cytosolic domain. Alkylation of the stress sensor preorganizes the helices and facilitates the cooperative transition resulting in catalytic activation.