Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Spectrophotometric Screening for Potential Inhibitors of Cytosolic Glutathione S-Transferases
Published on: October 10, 2020
Polymorphisms in the human glutathione transferase Kappa (GSTK1) promoter alter gene expression
Alison J Shield1, Tracy P Murray, Jean Y Cappello
1Division of Molecular Biosciences, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia.
Abstract:
The level of glutathione transferase Kappa (GSTK1-1) has been correlated with obesity (Liu et.al. 2008 PNAS 105: 18302-7) and a polymorphism in the hGSTK1 promoter has been associated with insulin secretion and fat deposition (Gao et al 2009 Endocr J 56: 487-94). We searched for additional polymorphisms that may influence GSTK1-1 function or expression. Two SNPs were identified in the 5' non-coding region. A SNP at -1308 that occurs in Chinese subjects is predicted to eliminate a FXR/RXR transcription factor-binding site and causes a 55% increase in transcription rate in HepG2 cells and a 59% decrease in HEK293 cells. These data suggest that the impact of this polymorphism is complex and tissue specific. A SNP at -1032 alters a methylation site and represses transcription by 38%. These observations provide the first functional insight into genetic factors that regulate hGSTK1 expression and may directly influence insulin secretion and fat deposition.
Related Concept Videos
Pharmacogenetic Phenotypes: Alterations in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Targets and Biologic Milieu
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Transporters: P-Glycoprotein and Solute Carrier Transporters
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase
Pharmacogenetics of Phase II Enzymes: N-acetyltransferase, Thiopurine S-methyltransferase, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase
Principles of Pharmacogenetics: Types of Genetic Variants
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Metabolism: Overview

