Glutathione S-transferase: genetics and role in toxicology

The glutathione S-transferases (GST) are a supergene family of dimeric, enzymes that catalyse the conjugation of glutathione (GSH) to a variety of electrophiles including arene oxides, unsaturated carbonyls, organic halides and other substrates. Their importance is suggested by the finding that GST enzymes are expressed in probably all life forms. In humans, polymorphism in GST genes has been associated with susceptibility to various diseases though some recent data indicate that these genotypes modify disease phenotype. Thus, GST genotypes alone and in combination have been linked with clinical outcome.