Metabolism of 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane by glutathione S-transferases

The metabolism of 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP), measured as the formation of water soluble metabolites and metabolites covalently bound to macromolecules, was studied in isolated rat liver, kidney, and testicular cells, in subcellular fractions, and with purified rat and human glutathione S-transferases (GSTs). The rate of formation of water soluble metabolites in the cells were in the order liver > kidney > testis. The rate of covalent macromolecular binding of reactive DBCP metabolites in the different cell types was of the same relative order. Pretreatment of the cells with the GSH depleting agent diethyl maleate (DEM) markedly decreased the rate of covalent binding in all cell types. Both the overall metabolism and the formation of DBCP metabolites that covalently bound to macromolecules, were substantially higher in rat testicular cells compared to hamster testicular cells. Rat liver cytosol and microsomes, and various purified rat and human GSTs extensively metabolized DBCP to water soluble metabolites in the presence of GSH. When compared to isolated cells, substantially lower rates of binding per mg protein could be observed in subcellular fractions. Binding of DBCP was detected in the microsomal and cytosolic fractions in the absence of NADPH, though in microsomes fortified with a NADPH-regenerating system, the generation of reactive DBCP metabolites was approximately doubled. Studies with purified rat GST isozymes showed that the relative overall GSH conjugation activity with DBCP was in the following order: GST form 3-3 > 2-2 approximately 12-12 > 1-1 > 4-4 approximately 8-8 approximately 7-7. Furthermore, human GST forms also readily metabolized DBCP with activities of GST A1-2 > A2-2 approximately A1-1 > M1a-1a > M3-3 approximately P1-1.