Possible involvement of glutathione S-transferases in the cell growth of C6 astroglioma cells

The changes of glutathione S-transferase activity were investigated using rat brain astroglioma C6 cells that were synchronized at different phases of the cell cycle. The enzyme showed two significant activity peaks at G2 and G1 phases. Furthermore, when C6 glioma cells were exposed to a culture medium supplemented with specific glutathione S-transferase inhibitors, ethacrynic acid and caffeic acid, cell growth was remarkably suppressed. These results suggest that glutathione S-transferases may be closely related to the mechanism of cell proliferation.