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Activation and inhibition of microsomal glutathione transferase from mouse liver

C Andersson1, M Söderström, B Mannervik

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Arrhenius Laboratory, University of Stockholm, Sweden.

The Biochemical Journal
|February 1, 1988
PubMed

Insights

Researchers purified mouse liver microsomal glutathione transferase in activated and unactivated forms. Bromosulphophthalein modulated enzyme activity, and inhibitors revealed cooperative effects in the activated form.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Enzymology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Microsomal glutathione transferase (MGST) plays a crucial role in cellular detoxification.
  • Understanding the activation and inhibition mechanisms of MGST is vital for drug development and disease research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To purify and characterize mouse liver microsomal glutathione transferase in both activated and unactivated states.
  • To investigate the effects of N-ethylmaleimide and bromosulphophthalein on enzyme activity.
  • To analyze the inhibition kinetics of various compounds on different enzyme forms.

Main Methods:

  • Purification of mouse liver microsomal glutathione transferase.
  • Enzyme activity assays using N-ethylmaleimide and bromosulphophthalein.
  • Western blot analysis using antibodies against rat liver MGST and cytosolic glutathione transferases.
  • Inhibitor dose-response studies to determine I50 values.

Main Results:

  • Mouse liver MGST was purified with a molecular mass of 17 kDa and a pI of 8.8.
  • N-ethylmaleimide-activated enzyme showed further reversible activation by bromosulphophthalein, while the unactivated form was inhibited at higher concentrations.
  • Inhibitor studies indicated cooperative effects and conversion between activated and unactivated enzyme forms.

Conclusions:

  • Mouse liver MGST exhibits distinct properties in its activated and unactivated forms.
  • Bromosulphophthalein differentially modulates MGST activity based on its activation state.
  • Inhibitor interactions suggest complex regulatory mechanisms involving enzyme conformational changes.

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