Glutathione S-transferases in elasmobranch liver. Molecular heterogeneity, catalytic and binding properties, and purification

In order to gain insight into the phylogeny and physiological significance of organic-anion-binding proteins in the liver, the hepatic glutathione S-transferases of rat and a typical elasmobranch, the thorny-back shark (Platyrhinoides triseriata), were compared with respect to both glutathione S-transferase activites and organic-anion-binding properties. On gel filtration (Sephadex G-75, Superfine grade) of rat cytosol, the elution volumes of enzyme activities with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and p-nitrobenzyl chloride as substrates were identical (rat Y-fractions; M_r 45000). In contrast, two peaks of enzyme activity for 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene with elution volumes corresponding to M_r 52000 (PLAT Y₁) and M_r 45000 (PLAT Y₂) were detected on gel filtration of P. triseriata cytosol. Only fraction PLAT Y₂ had enzyme activity with p-nitrobenzyl chloride. Enzyme kinetic studies showed that rat Y-fraction had higher affinities for both 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and glutathione than PLAT Y₁- and PLAT Y₂-fractions. The two forms of P. triseriata glutathione S-transferases differed greatly in affinity for glutathione. At a glutathione concentration that we found to be physiological in P. triseriata, PLAT Y₂ accounted for approx. 70% of the total glutathione S-transferase activity with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. Binding studies revealed that PLAT Y₁ and PLAT Y₂ fractions had much lower affinities for sulphobromophthalein and bilirubin than rat Y-fraction. In contrast, binding affinities of PLAT Y₁ and PLAT Y₂ for Rose Bengal and 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulphonate were comparable with that of rat Y-fraction. Inhibitory kinetics suggested that sulphobromophthalein and Rose Bengal were non-competitive inhibitors of glutathione S-transferase activities when 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene was used as substrate for both PLAT Y₁ and PLAT Y₂. The major glutathione S-transferase from the PLAT Y₂ fraction was purified 81-fold by sequential chromatography on Sephadex G-75, DEAE-Sephadex and hydroxyapatite, and consisted of two identical subunits with pI7.7. The highly enriched Y₂-fraction retained high affinity binding of Rose Bengal and 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulphonate.     

The MTCY428.08 Gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Codes for NAD+ Synthetase

The product of the MTCY428.08 gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis shows sequence homology with several NAD⁺ synthetases. The MTCY428.08 gene was cloned into the expression vectors pGEX-4T-1 and pET-15b. Expression in Escherichia coli led to overproduction of glutathione S-transferase fused and His₆-tagged gene products, which were enzymatically assayed for NAD synthetase activity. Our results demonstrate that the MTCY428.08 gene of M. tuberculosis is the structural gene for NAD⁺ synthetase.     

Atrazine Resistance in a Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) Biotype Due to Enhanced Glutathione S-Transferase Activity

We previously reported that a velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic) biotype found in Maryland was resistant to atrazine because of an enhanced capacity to detoxify the herbicide via glutathione conjugation (JW Gronwald, Andersen RN, Yee C [1989] Pestic Biochem Physiol 34: 149-163). The biochemical basis for the enhanced atrazine conjugation capacity in this biotype was examined. Glutathione levels and glutathione S-transferase activity were determined in extracts from the atrazine-resistant biotype and an atrazine-susceptible or “wild-type” velvetleaf biotype. In both biotypes, the highest concentration of glutathione (approximately 500 nanomoles per gram fresh weight) was found in leaf tissue. However, no significant differences were found in glutathione levels in roots, stems, or leaves of either biotype. In both biotypes, the highest concentration of glutathione S-transferase activity measured with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene or atrazine as substrate was in leaf tissue. Glutathione S-transferase measured with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene as substrate was 40 and 25% greater in leaf and stem tissue, respectively, of the susceptible biotype compared to the resistant biotype. In contrast, glutathione S-transferase activity measured with atrazine as substrate was 4.4- and 3.6-fold greater in leaf and stem tissue, respectively, of the resistant biotype. Kinetic analyses of glutathione S-transferase activity in leaf extracts from the resistant and susceptible biotypes were performed with the substrates glutathione, 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, and atrazine. There was little or no change in apparent K_m values for glutathione, atrazine, or 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. However, the V_max for glutathione and atrazine were approximately 3-fold higher in the resistant biotype than in the susceptible biotype. In contrast, the V_max for 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene was 30% lower in the resistant biotype. Leaf glutathione S-transferase isozymes that exhibit activity with atrazine and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene were separated by fast protein liquid (anion-exchange) chromatography. The susceptible biotype had three peaks exhibiting activity with atrazine and the resistant biotype had two. The two peaks of glutathione S-transferase activity with atrazine from the resistant biotype coeluted with two of the peaks from the susceptible biotype, but peak height was three- to fourfold greater in the resistant biotype. In both biotypes, two of the peaks that exhibit glutathione S-transferase activity with atrazine also exhibited activity with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, with the peak height being greater in the susceptible biotype. The results indicate that atrazine resistance in the velvetleaf biotype from Maryland is due to enhanced glutathione S-transferase activity for atrazine in leaf and stem tissue which results in an enhanced capacity to detoxify the herbicide via glutathione conjugation.     

Glutamate dehydrogenase from pumpkin cotyledons: characterization and isoenzymes

Glutamate dehydrogenase from pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Pior. cultivar Dickinson Field) cotyledons was found in both soluble and particulate fractions with the bulk of the activity in the soluble fraction. Both enzymes used NAD(H) and NADP(H) but NAD(H) was favored. The enzymes were classified as glutamate-NAD oxidoreductase, deaminating (EC 1.4.1.3). Both enzymes were heat stable, had a pH optimum for reductive amination of 8.0, and were inhibited by high concentrations of NH₄⁺ or α-ketoglutarate. The soluble enzyme was more sensitive to NH₄⁺ inhibition and was activated by metal ions after ammonium sulfate fractionation while the solubilized particulate enzyme was not. Inhibition by ethylenediaminetetraacetate was restored by several divalent ions and inhibition by p-hydroxymercuribenzoate was reversed by glutathione. Particulate glutamate dehydrogenase showed a greater activity with NADP. The molecular weights of the enzymes are 250,000. Separation of the enzymes by disc gel electrophoresis showed that during germination the soluble isoenzymes increased from 1 to 7 in number, while only one particulate isoenzyme was found at any time. This particulate isoenzyme was identical with one of the soluble isoenzymes. A number of methods indicated that the soluble isoenzymes were not simply removed from the particulate fraction and that true isoenzymes were found.     

Some properties of γ-tocopherol methyltransferase solubilized from spinach chloroplasts

γ-Tocopherol methyltransferase occurs in the chloroplast fraction of spinach leaves. Its specific activity with γ-tocopherol and S-adenosyl-l-methionine was 3.91 nmol hr⁻¹ mg⁻¹ protein. The enzyme was effectively solubilized by 6 mM sodium deoxycholate from the membrane fraction of chloroplasts. The activity was maximum at pH 7.5 and 35°. γ-Tocopherol was preferred to β-tocopherol (25:7). The K_m value for S-adenosyl-l-methionine as methyl donor was 9.1 μM.     

Localization of epoxide-metablozing enzymes in rat testis

Antibodies raised against rat hepatic epoxide hydrolase (EC 3.3.2.3) and glutathione S-transferases (EC 2.5.1.18) B, C and E were used to determine the presence and localizations of these epoxide-metabolizing enzymes in testes of sexually immature and mature Wistar and Holtzman rats. Unlabeled antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase staining for each enzyme was readily detected in rat testes at the light microscopic level. Although significant strain-related differences were not apparent, staining intensity for certain enzymes differed markedly between Leydig cells and seminiferous tubules. Leydig cells of immature and mature rats were stained much intensely for epoxide hydrolase and glutathione S-transferase B and E than were seminiferous tubules, whereas Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids, as well as Leydig cells, were stained intensely by the anti-glutathione S-transferase C. Age-related differences in staining for glutathione S-transferase B were not obvious, while the anti-glutathione S-transferase C stained seminiferous tubules more intensely in immature rats, and antibodies to expoxide hydrolase and glutathione S-transferases C and E stained Leydig cells much more intensely in mature rats. These observations thus demonstrate that testes of both sexually immature and mature rats contain epoxide hydrolase and glutathione S-transferases. Except for glutathione S-transferase C in immature rats, Leydig cells appear to contain much higher levels of enzymes than do seminiferous tubules. During sexual maturation, the testicular level of glutathione S-transferase B appears to remain constant, while levels of epoxide hydrolase and glutathione S-transferases C and E increase within Leydig cells and the level of glutathione S-transferase C decreases within seminiferous tubules.     

Identification of a new glutathione S-transferase from rat liver cytosol

A new glutathione $\text{S}$-transferase has been purified to homogeneity from 105,000 × g supernatant of Sprague-Dawley rat liver homogenates. The purified enzyme exhibited specific activities of approximately 1.8, and 0.12 μmoles. min^?1. mg^?1 toward 1-chloro 2,4-dinitrobenzene and cumene hydroperoxide respectively. The SDS gel electrophoresis data on subunit composition revealed that the new transferase is composed of two subunits with an identical M_r of 24,400 (Y_α Family). Our $\text{in}\text{vitro}$ translation experiments with rat liver poly(A) RNAs and substrate specificity data suggest that this subunit is different from the previously reported Ya, Yb and Yc subunits of rat liver glutathione $\text{S}$-transferases. Comparatively, the new isozyme showed significant activity toward 1,2 epoxy-3-(P-nitrophenoxy)-propane, ethacrynic acid and P-nitrophenyl acetate, 0.4, 0.34 and 0.18 μ moles. min^?1. mg^?1 respectively.     

Enhancement of lipid peroxidation in rat liver on acute exposure to styrene and acrylamide a consequence of glutathione depletion

Lipid peroxidation, glutathione level and activity of glutathione-S-transferase were studied in liver and brain of rats 4 and 3 h after a single i.p. administration of 0, 25, 75, 100 mg/kg acrylamide or 0, 50, 100, 200, 600 mg/kg styrene, respectively. In liver both acrylamide and styrene caused an increase in lipid peroxidation and decrease in glutathione contents and activity of glutathione-S-transferase in a dose dependent manner, while in brain only acrylamide produced a decrease in glutathione content. The decrease in glutathione content was not always associated with increase of lipid peroxidation. The enhancement of lipid peroxidation occurred only when glutathione contents were depleted to certain critical levels. No effect of acrylamide or styrene was seen on lipid peroxidation under in vitro conditions. The addition of glutathione in the incubation mixture significantly inhibited the rate of lipid peroxidation of liver homogenates of acrylamide and styrene treated animals.The results suggest that enhancement of lipid peroxidation in liver on exposure to acrylamide or styrene is a consequence of depletion of glutathione to certain critical levels. The inhibition of glutathione-S-transferase activity by acrylamide and styrene suggests that detoxication of these neurotoxic compounds could be suppressed following acute exposure.     

Glutathione-S-transferase,a possible drug-metabolizing enzyme,in Haemonchus contortus: Comparative activity of a cambendazole-resistant and a susceptible strain

Kawalek J. C., Rew R. S. and Heavner J. 1984. Glutathione-S-transferase, a possible drug-metabolizing enzyme in Haemonchus contortus: comparative activity of a cambendazole-resistant and a susceptible strain. International Journal for Parasitology14: 173–175. A drug metabolizing enzyme (DME), glutathione-S-transferase, was detected in homogenates of a cambendazole-susceptible and a cambendazole-resistant strain of Haemonchus contortus. The activity was 1.5–1.8 times higher in the resistant strain. DME activation is a possible mechanism for anthelmintic resistance in H. contortus.     

A single protein research integrated advanced biochemistry laboratory course: design and general outline

An advanced biochemistry laboratory has been designed to focus on a detoxifying enzyme, glutathione-S-transferase, which is involved in the metabolism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pesticides, herbicides, and other electrophilic xenobiotic compounds. The enzyme is known to catalyze conjugation of glutathione to xenobiotics, which makes them water-soluble so that they can be easily discarded through further metabolism and excretion. About two-thirds of the laboratory course incorporates nine advanced biochemical techniques, all focused to analyze various chemical characteristics of the glutathione-S-transferase. The remaining third of the semester time students work on a project that involves application of all the newly acquired techniques to solve a biochemical problem that encompasses the same detoxifying enzyme.     

A radioenzymatic ultramicro method applicable to the measurement of a wide range of metabolites

A procedure for the rapid identification of glutathione S-transferase isozymes from rat liver in polyacrylamide gels is described. The isozymes are separated by electrofocusing and then identified by bathing the gels in a solution containing substrates and scanning the gels at the appropriate wavelength for the appearance of product. Increase in absorbance as a function of time delineates areas containing enzyme from artifacts within the gel. This technique should be useful for the identification of isozymes of glutathione S-transferase in other tissues and also other species. Also, the technique provides for rapid confirmation of homogeneity of the isozymes of glutathione S-transferase.     

The Site of Cellulose Synthesis: Cell Surface and Intracellular beta-1, 4-Glucan (Cellulose) Synthetase Activities in Relation to the Stage and Direction of Cell Growth

β-1, 4-Glucan (cellulose) synthetase activity (UDP-glucose: β-1, 4-glucan-glucosyl transferase) present at cell surfaces of growing regions of Pisum sativum epicotyl was assayed by supplying UDP-¹⁴C-glucose directly to thin slices of tissue. Initial rates of glucosyl transfer under these conditions approached the rates of cellulose deposition observed in vivo in intact tissue at various stages of growth. Normal tissue homogenization procedures destroyed the high surface activity, although a small amount of residual activity (3-10% of total) could be detected in particulate fractions. In homogenates from elongating tissue, the residual activity was almost entirely associated with Golgi membrane. In homogenates of tissue which had ceased elongating, whether because of normal maturation or treatment with ethylene (or high levels of auxin), the activity was present in Golgi plus a membrane fraction rich in smooth endoplasmic reticulum vesicles. It is suggested that cellulose synthetase activity associated with these two organelles represents intracellular enzyme in transit to specific sites of cellulose synthesis and microfibrillar orientation at the cell surface.     

The hypothalamic–hypophyseal–gonadal regulation of hepatic glutathione S-transferases in the rat

Hepatic glutathione S-transferase activities were determined with the substrates 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. Sexual differentiation of glutathione S-transferase activities is not evident during the prepubertal period, but glutathione conjugation with 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene is 2–3-fold greater in adult males than in females. Glutathione conjugation with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene is slightly higher in adult males than adult females. No change in activity was observed after postpubertal gonadectomy of males or females. Neonatal castration of males results in a significant decrease in glutathione conjugation with 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene. Hypophysectomy, or hypophysectomy followed by gonadectomy did result in significantly higher glutathione S-transferase activities in both sexes. These increases can be reversed by implanting an adult male or female pituitary or four prepubertal pituitaries under the kidney capsule. Postpubertal sexual differentiation of glutathione S-transferase activities is neither dependent on pituitary sexual differentiation nor pituitary maturation. Prolactin concentrations are inversely related to glutathione S-transferase activities in hypophysectomized rats with or without ectopic pituitaries. Somatotropin exogenously administered to hypophysectomized rats results in decreased glutathione S-transferase activities, whereas prolactin has no effect. Adult male rats treated neonatally with monosodium l-glutamate to induce arcuate nucleus lesions of the hypothalamus have decreased glutathione S-transferase activities towards 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene and decreased somatotropin concentrations. Our experiments suggests that sexual differentiation of hepatic glutathione S-transferase is a result of a hypothalamic inhibiting factor in the male (absent in the female). This postpubertally expressed inhibiting factor acts on the pituitary to prevent secretion of a pituitary inhibiting factor (autonomously secreted by the female), resulting in higher glutathione S-transferase activities in the adult male than the adult female.     

The ommochrome biosynthetic pathway in Drosophila melanogaster: The head particulate phenoxazinone synthase and the developmental onset of xanthommatin synthesis

Particulate fractions from the heads of Drosophila melanogaster catalyze the conversion of o-aminophenols to phenoxazinones. This particulate enzyme is stimulated by Mn²⁺. It has a number of features which distinguish it clearly from the Mn²⁺-dependent activity found in the soluble fraction. The particulate enzyme has a characteristic developmental pattern, showing a marked increase in activity at about the time of onset of xanthommatin synthesis. In addition, it is much reduced in activity in a number of xanthommatin-deficient mutants (v, cn, st, cd, and w). We believe that the head particulate enzyme is involved in xanthommatin biosynthesis and that the developmental onset of synthesis of this pigment is brought about by the synthesis or activation of this enzyme.     

Studies on guanine deaminase and its inhibitors in rat tissue

1. In kidney, but not in rat whole brain and liver, guanine-deaminase activity was localized almost exclusively in the 15000g supernatant fraction of iso-osmotic sucrose homogenates. However, as in brain and liver, the enzymic activity recovered in the supernatant was higher than that in the whole homogenate. The particulate fractions of kidney, especially the heavy mitochondria, brought about powerful inhibition of the supernatant guanine-deaminase activity. 2. In spleen, as in kidney, guanine-deaminase activity was localized in the 15000g supernatant fraction of iso-osmotic sucrose homogenates. However, the particulate fractions did not inhibit the activity of the supernatant. 3. Guanine-deaminase activity in rat brain was absent from the cerebellum and present only in the cerebral hemispheres. The inhibitor of guanine deaminase was located exclusively in the cerebellum, where it was associated with the particles sedimenting at 5000g from sucrose homogenates. 4. Homogenates of cerebral hemispheres, the separated cortex or the remaining portion of the hemispheres had significantly higher guanine-deaminase activity than homogenates of whole brain. The enzymic activity of the subcellular particulate fractions was nearly the same. 5. Guanine deaminase was purified from the 15000g supernatant of sucrose homogenates of whole brain. The enzyme separated as two distinct fractions, A and B, on DEAE-cellulose columns. 6. The guanine-deaminase activity of the light-mitochondrial fraction of whole brain was fully exposed and solubilized by treatment with Triton X-100, and partially purified. 7. Tested in the form of crude preparations, the inhibitor from kidney did not act on the brain and liver supernatant enzymes and the inhibitor from cerebellum did not act on kidney enzyme, but the inhibitor from liver acted on both brain and kidney enzyme. 8. The inhibitor of guanine deaminase was purified from the heavy mitochondria of whole brain and liver and the 5000g residue of cerebellum, isolated from iso-osmotic homogenates. The inhibitor appeared to be protein in nature and was heat-labile. The inhibition of the enzyme was non-competitive. 9. Kinetic, immunochemical and electrophoretic studies with the preparations purified from brain revealed that the enzyme from light mitochondria was distinct from enzyme B from the supernatant. A distinction between the two forms of supernatant enzyme was less certain. 10. Guanine deaminase isolated from light mitochondria of brain did not react with 8-azaguanine or with the inhibitor isolated from heavy mitochondria.     

Purification and characterization of glyoxalase II from Hansenula mrakii

Glyoxalase II [S-(2-hydroxyacyl)glutathione hydrolase], one of the components of the glyoxalase system, catalyzes the hydrolysis of S-lactoylglutathione to glutathione and d-lactic acid. The enzyme was partially purified from the yeast Hansenula mrakii IFO 0895 by successive column chromatographies and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 22,000 daltons by gel-filtration of Sephadex G-150 column chromatography and 24,000 daltons by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme was specific to S-lactoyglutathione and S-acetylglutathione. The activity of the enzyme was strongly inhibited by Cu²⁺, p-chloromercuribenzoate and HgCl₂. The enzyme activity was also inhibited by hemimercaptal, a non-enzymatic condensation product between glutathione and methylglyoxal.     

Rat liver glutathione S-transferase B: the functional mRNAs specific for the Ya Yc subunits are induced differentially by phenobarbital

Liver poly(A⁺)-RNA isolated from untreated and phenobarbital-treated rats has been translated in the rabbit reticulocyte cell-free system in order to examine the kinetics of induction of the translatable mRNAs encoding each subunit of glutathione S-transferase B. Translatable glutathione S-transferase B mRNA levels were maximally elevated at 16 to 24 h after a single injection of phenobarbital. Interestingly, the functional mRNA specific for the low-molecular-weight subunit was elevated markedly by phenobarbital administration whereas the mRNA specific for the high-molecular-weight subunit was only increased slightly. Our data suggest that different mRNAs direct the synthesis of the two subunits of glutathione S-transferase B and that these two mRNAs are under independent regulation.     

Breakdown of exogenous insulin by langerhans islets of the pancreas in vitro

Pancreatic islets were isolated from Wistar rats, albino mice, spiny mice and sand rats (Psammomys obesus). Evidence is presented that pancreatic islets contain an enzyme system degrading insulin in the presence of glutathione or other sulfhydryl-containing compounds. Apparent K_m values for insulin and glutathione (in the presence of EDTA) are 14.0 μM (mol. wt 5700) and 1.28 mM, respectively. Maximum breakdown of ¹²⁵I-labeled insulin was found at about pH 7.2. After ultracentrifugation of islet homogenates the microsomal fraction contained the greatest relative specific insulin-degrading activity. The specific insulin-degrading actvitity was found to be higher in Wistar rats and albino mice than in spiny mice and sand rats. Starvation of Wistar rats for 72 h caused a decrease inthe enzymatic activity.     

Solubilization,stabilization and isoelectric focusing of human liver neuraminidase activity

Homogenate preparations of human liver have been prepared and over 75% of the particulate neuraminidase activity (which comprises approx. 90% of the total activity) has been solubilized using 0.85% (w/v) Triton X-100 in 25 mM phosphate buffer (pH 6.8). The solubilized neuraminidase activity is extremely labile, but can be stabilized for at least 4 weeks at 2–4°C, using 10 mM N-acetylneuraminic acid. Kinetic characterization of homogenate and solubilized supernatant fluid neuraminidase activities indicated comparable pH optimum curves (maximum activity at pH 4.5–4.7) and apparent K_m values (0.2–0.4 mM) for the synthetic fluorometric substrate $\text{4-}\text{methylbelliferyl}\text{-α-}\text{D}\text{-N-}\text{acetylneuraminic}$ acid. Isoelectric focusing has been performed on human liver homogenates and Triton X-100-solubilized neuraminidase activities, and the presence of several forms (4–6) with isoelectric points (pI values) between 4.4 and 5.2 has been demonstrated in both preparations. The similar kinetic and isoelectric focusing properties of the two preparations suggest that the solubilized enzyme activity is representative of the homogenate activity and that the solubilized enzyme is suitable for purification purposes.