Human genes for glutathione S-transferases

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Genetics
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are crucial enzymes involved in detoxification.
• Understanding the tissue distribution and genetic variations of GSTs is vital for toxicological and pharmacological research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the tissue distribution of various glutathione S-transferases (GSTs).
• To investigate the genetic polymorphism of GST1 and identify new GST forms.
• To determine the chromosomal localization of the GST3 gene.

Main Methods:

• Electrophoresis was used to analyze GST tissue distribution and identify different GST forms.
• Analysis of 56 liver samples determined GST1 allele and phenotype frequencies.
• Human-mouse somatic cell hybrid analysis was employed for gene localization.

Main Results:

• GST subtypes (GSTe, GST3, GST1, GST2) were confirmed with distinct tissue distributions.
• GST1 exhibited polymorphism with four phenotypes and three alleles (1, 2, 0-null), with allele 0 being the most frequent.
• Two novel GSTs, GST4 (abundant in muscle) and GST5 (found in brain), were identified. The GST3 gene was localized to chromosome 11.

Conclusions:

• Distinct tissue distribution patterns exist for various GST enzymes.
• GST1 displays significant genetic polymorphism in the studied population.
• The identification of new GST forms and the chromosomal localization of GST3 provide valuable insights into the GST gene family.