Residue R216 and catalytic efficiency of a murine class alpha glutathione S-transferase toward benzo[a]pyrene 7(R),8(S)-diol 9(S), 10(R)-epoxide

Murine class alpha glutathione S-transferase A1-1 (mGSTA1-1), unlike mammalian class alpha GSTs, is the most efficient in the glutathione (GSH) conjugation of the ultimate carcinogenic metabolite of benzo[a]pyrene, (+)-anti-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-oxy-7,8,9, 10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene [(+)-anti-BPDE] [Hu, X., Srivastava, S. K., Xia, H., Awasthi, Y. C., and Singh, S. V. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 32684-32688]. Here, we report the crystal structures of mGSTA1-1 in complex with GSH and with the GSH conjugate of (+)-anti-BPDE (GSBpd) at 1.9 and 2.0 A resolution, respectively. Both crystals belong to monoclinic space group C2 with one dimer in the asymmetric unit. The structures reveal that, within one subunit, the GSH moiety interacts with residues Y8, R14, K44, Q53, V54, Q66, and T67, whereas the hydrophobic moiety of GSBpd interacts with the side chains of F9, R14, M207, A215, R216, F219, and I221. In addition, the GSH moiety interacts with D100 and R130 from the other subunit across the dimer interface. The structural comparison between mGSTA1-1.GSH and mGSTA1-1.GSBpd reveals significant conformational differences. The movement of helix alpha9 brings the residues on the helix into direct interaction with the product. Most noticeable are the positional displacement and conformational change of R216, one of the residues located in helix alpha9. The side chain of R216, which points away from the H-site in the mGSTA1-1.GSH complex, probes into the active site and becomes parallel with the aromatic ring system of GSBpd. Moreover, the guanidinium group of R216 shifts approximately 8 A and forms a strong hydrogen bond with the C8 hydroxyl group of GSBpd, suggesting that the electrostatic assistance provided by the guanidinium group facilitates the ring-opening reaction of (+)-anti-BPDE. The structure of mGSTA1-1. GSBpd is also compared with those of hGSTP1-1[V104,A113].GSBpd, hGSPA1-1.S-benzylglutathione, and mGSTA4-4. 4-S-glutathionyl-5-pentyltetrahydrofuran-2-ol. The comparison provides further evidence that supports the functional roles of R216 and helix alpha9. The lack of mobility of helix alpha9 and/or the lack of electrostatic assistance from R216 may be responsible for the relatively lower activity of hGSTA1-1, mGSTA4-4, and hGSTP1-1 toward (+)-anti-BPDE.     

Nitrosylation of human glutathione transferase P1-1 with dinitrosyl diglutathionyl iron complex in vitro and in vivo

We have recently shown that dinitrosyl diglutathionyl iron complex, a possible in vivo nitric oxide (NO) donor, binds with extraordinary affinity to one of the active sites of human glutathione transferase (GST) P1-1 and triggers negative cooperativity in the neighboring subunit of the dimer. This strong interaction has also been observed in the human Mu, Alpha, and Theta GST classes, suggesting a common mechanism by which GSTs may act as intracellular NO carriers or scavengers. We present here the crystal structure of GST P1-1 in complex with the dinitrosyl diglutathionyl iron ligand at high resolution. In this complex the active site Tyr-7 coordinates to the iron atom through its phenolate group by displacing one of the GSH ligands. The crucial importance of this catalytic residue in binding the nitric oxide donor is demonstrated by site-directed mutagenesis of this residue with His, Cys, or Phe residues. The relative binding affinity for the complex is strongly reduced in all three mutants by about 3 orders of magnitude with respect to the wild type. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy studies on intact Escherichia coli cells expressing the recombinant GST P1-1 enzyme indicate that bacterial cells, in response to NO treatment, are able to form the dinitrosyl diglutathionyl iron complex using intracellular iron and GSH. We hypothesize the complex is stabilized in vivo through binding to GST P1-1.     

C-terminal region amino acid substitutions contribute to catalytic differences between murine class alpha glutathione transferases mGSTA1-1 and mGSTA2-2 toward anti-diol epoxide isomers of benzo[c]phenanthrene

The molecular basis for catalytic differences between structurally closely related murine class alpha glutathione (GSH) transferases mGSTA1-1 and mGSTA2-2 in the GSH conjugation of anti-diol epoxide isomers of benzo[c]phenanthrene (anti-B[c]PDE) was investigated. GSH conjugation of both (-)- and (+)-enantiomers of anti-B[c]PDE was observed in the presence of mGSTA1-1 (60 and 40% GSH conjugation, respectively), whereas mGSTA2-2 exhibited a preference for the (-)-anti-isomer (>97%). In addition, the specific activity of mGSTA2-2 toward the (-)-anti-B[c]PDE isomer was relatively higher than that of mGSTA1-1. The amino acid sequences of mGSTA1-1 and mGSTA2-2 differ at 10 positions that are distributed in three sections. Section I contains amino acid residues in positions 65 and 95; section II contains residues in positions 157, 162, and 169, and section III contains residues in positions 207, 213, 218, 221, and 222. Enzyme activity measurements with chimeras of mGSTA1-1 and mGSTA2-2 revealed that amino acid substitutions in section III account for their differential enantioselectivity and catalytic activity toward anti-B[c]PDE. Site-directed mutagenesis of amino acid residues in section III of mGSTA2-2 with corresponding residues of mGSTA1-1 followed by activity measurements of the wild type and mutated enzymes indicates that leucine 207 and phenylalanine 221 may be critical for the high catalytic activity of mGSTA2-2 toward (-)-anti-B[c]PDE. Molecular modeling studies demonstrated that the active site of mGSTA1-1 accommodates both enantiomers of anti-B[c]PDE, whereas the (-)-anti-isomer interacts more favorably with active site residues in mGSTA2-2. The results of this study clearly indicate that amino acid substitutions in the C-terminal region contribute to catalytic differences between mGSTA1-1 and mGSTA2-2 with respect to anti-B[c]PDE.     

Characterization of the safener-induced glutathione S-transferase isoform II from maize

The safener-induced maize (Zea mays L.) glutathione S-transferase, GST II (EC 2.5.1.18) and another predominant isoform, GST I, were purified from extracts of maize roots treated with the safeners R-25788 (N,N-diallyl-2-dichloroacetamide) or R-29148 (3-dichloroace-tyl-2,2,5-trimethyl-1,3-oxazolidone). The isoforms GST I and GST II are respectively a homodimer of 29-kDa (GST-29) subunits and a heterodimer of 29 and 27-kDa (GST-27) subunits, while GST I is twice as active with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene as GST II, GST II is about seven times more active against the herbicide, alachlor. Western blotting using antisera raised against GST-29 and GST-27 showed that GST-29 is present throughout the maize plant prior to safener treatment. In contrast, GST-27 is only present in roots of untreated plants but is induced in all the major aerial organs of maize after root-drenching with safener. The amino-acid sequences of proteolytic fragments of GST-27 show that it is related to GST-29 and identical to the 27-kDa subunit of GST IV.Abbreviations CDNB 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene - DEAE di-ethylaminoethyl - FPLC fast protein liquid chromatography - GSH reduced glutathione - GST glutathione S-transferase - GST-26 26-kDa subunit of maize GST - GST-27 27-kDa subunit of maize GST - GST-29 29-kDa subunit of maize GST - R-25788 safener N,N-diallyl-2-dichloroacetamide - R-29148 safener 3-dichloroacetyl-2,2,5-trimethyl-1,3-oxazolidone - RPLC reverse phase liquid chromatography We are grateful to M-M. Lay, ZENECA AG Products (formerly ICI Americas), Richmond, Calif., USA for providing [¹⁴C] R-25788. ZENECA Seeds in the UK is part of ZENECA Limited.     

Probing subunit interactions in alpha class rat liver glutathione S-transferase with the photoaffinity label glutathionyl S-[4-(succinimidyl)benzophenone

Glutathionyl S-[4-(succinimidyl)benzophenone] (GS-Succ-BP), an analogue of the product of glutathione and electrophilic substrate, acts as a photoaffinity label of dimeric rat liver glutathione S-transferase (GST), isoenzyme 1-1. A time-dependent loss of enzyme activity is observed upon irradiation of the enzyme with long wavelength UV light in the presence of the reagent. The initial rate of inactivation exhibits nonlinear dependence on the concentration of the reagent, characterized by an apparent dissociation constant of the enzyme-reagent complex (K(R)) of 99 +/- 2 microM and k(max) of 0.082 +/- 0.005 min(-1). Protection against this inactivation is provided by the electrophilic substrate (ethacrynic acid), electrophilic substrate analogue (dinitrophenol), and product analogues (S-hexylglutathione and p-nitrobenzylglutathione) but not by steroids (Delta(5)-androstene-3,17-dione and 17beta-estradiol-3, 17-disulfate). These results suggest that GS-Succ-BP binds and reacts with the enzyme within the xenobiotic substrate binding site, and this reaction site is distinct from the substrate and nonsubstrate steroid binding sites of the enzyme. About 1 mol of reagent is incorporated into 1 mol of enzyme dimer when the enzyme is completely inactivated. Met-208 is the only amino acid target of the reagent, and modification of this residue in one enzyme subunit of the GST 1-1 dimer completely abolishes the enzyme activity of both subunits. In order to evaluate the role of subunit interactions in the Alpha class glutathione S-transferases, inactive GS-Succ-BP-modified GST 1-1 was mixed with unlabeled, active GST 2-2. The enzyme subunits were dissociated in dilute trifluoroacetic acid and then renatured at pH 7.8 and separated by chromatofocusing into GST 1-1, 1-2, and 2-2. The specific activities of the heterodimer toward several substrates indicate that the loss of catalytic activity in the unmodified subunit of the modified GST 1-1 is the indirect result of the interaction between the two enzyme subunits and that this subunit interaction is absent in the heterodimer GST 1-2.     

Double mutation at the subunit interface of glutathione transferase rGSTM1-1 results in a stable, folded monomer

Canonical glutathione (GSH) transferases are dimeric proteins with subunits composed of an N-terminal GSH binding region (domain 1) and a C-terminal helical region (domain 2). The stabilities of several GSH transferase dimers are dependent upon two groups of interactions between domains 1 and 2 of opposing subunits: a hydrophobic ball-and-socket motif and a buried charge cluster motif. In rGSTM1-1, these motifs involve residues F56 and R81, respectively. The structural basis for the effects of mutating F56 to different residues on dimer stability and function has been reported (Codreanu et al. (2005) Biochemistry 44, 10605-10612). Here, we show that the simultaneous disruption of both motifs in the F56S/R81A mutant causes complete dissociation of the dimer to a monomeric protein on the basis of gel filtration chromatography and multiple-angle laser light scattering. The fluorescence and far-UV CD properties of the double mutant as well as the kinetics of amide H/D exchange along the polypeptide backbone suggest that the monomer has a globular structure that is similar to a single subunit in the native protein. However, the mutant monomer has severely impaired catalytic activity, suggesting that the dimer interface is vital for efficient catalysis. Backbone amide H/D exchange kinetics in the F56S and F56S/R81A mutants indicate that a reorganization of the loop structure between helix alpha2 and strand beta3 near the active site is responsible for the decreased catalytic activity of the monomer. In addition, the junction between the alpha4 and alpha5 helices in F56S/R81R shows decreased H/D exchange, indicating another structural change that may affect catalysis. Although the native subunit interface is important for dimer stability, urea-induced unfolding of the F56S/R81A mutant suggests that the interface is not essential for the thermodynamic stability of individual subunits. The H/D exchange data reveal a possible molecular basis for the folding cooperativity observed between domains 1 and 2.     

Transfection of mGSTA4 in HL-60 cells protects against 4-hydroxynonenal-induced apoptosis by inhibiting JNK-mediated signaling

The mammalian alpha-class glutathione S-transferase (GST) isozymes mGSTA4-4, rGSTA4-4, and hGSTA4-4 are known to utilize 4-hydroxynonenal (4HNE) as a preferred substrate. During the present studies, we have examined the effect of transfecting human myeloid HL-60 cells with mGSTA4, on 4-HNE-induced apoptosis and the associated signaling mechanisms. Results of these studies show that treatment of the wild-type or vector-only-transfected HL-60 cells with 20 microM 4-HNE caused apoptosis within 2 h. The cells transfected with mGSTA4 did not undergo apoptosis under these conditions even after 4 h. In the wild-type and vector-transfected cells, apoptosis was preceded by JNK activation and c-Jun phosphorylation within 30 min, and an increase in AP-1 binding within 2 h of treatment with 20 microM 4-HNE. In mGSTA4-transfected cells, JNK activation and c-Jun phosphorylation were observed after 1 h, and increased AP-1 binding was observed after 8 h under these conditions. In the control cells, 20 microM 4-HNE caused caspase 3 activation and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage within 2 h, while in mGSTA4-transfected cells, a lesser degree of these effects was observed even after 8 h. Transfection with mGSTA4 also provided protection to the cells from 4-HNE and doxorubicin cytotoxicity (1.6- and 2.6-fold, respectively). These results show that 4-HNE mediates apoptosis through its effects on JNK and caspase 3, and that 4-HNE metabolizing GST isozyme(s) may be important in the regulation of this pathway of oxidative-stress-induced apoptosis.     

Transfection with 4-hydroxynonenal-metabolizing glutathione S-transferase isozymes leads to phenotypic transformation and immortalization of adherent cells.

4-Hydroxy-2-trans-nonenal (4-HNE), one of the major end products of lipid peroxidation, has been shown to induce apoptosis in a variety of cell lines. It appears to modulate signaling processes in more than one way because it has been suggested to have a role in signaling for differentiation and proliferation. We show for the first time that incorporation of 4-HNE-metabolizing glutathione S-transferase (GST) isozyme, hGSTA4-4, into adherent cell lines HLE B-3 and CCL-75, by either cDNA transfection or microinjection of active enzyme, leads to their transformation. The dramatic phenotypic changes due to the incorporation of hGSTA4-4 include rounding of cells and anchorage-independent rapid proliferation of immortalized, rounded, and smaller cells. Incorporation of the inactive mutant of hGSTA4-4 (Y212F) in cells by either microinjection or transfection does not cause transformation, suggesting that the activity of hGSTA4-4 toward 4-HNE is required for transformation. This is further confirmed by the fact that mouse and Drosophila GST isozymes (mGSTA4-4 and DmGSTD1-1), which have high activity toward 4-HNE and subsequent depletion of 4-HNE, cause transformation whereas human GST isozymes hGSTP1-1 and hGSTA1-1, with minimal activity toward 4-HNE, do not cause transformation. In cells overexpressing active hGSTA4-4, expression of transforming growth factor beta1, cyclin-dependent kinase 2, protein kinase C betaII and extracellular signal regulated kinase is upregulated, whereas expression of p53 is downregulated. These studies suggest that alterations in 4-HNE homeostasis can profoundly affect cell-cycle signaling events.     

Structure of a Drosophila sigma class glutathione S-transferase reveals a novel active site topography suited for lipid peroxidation products

Insect glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) are grouped in three classes, I, II and recently III; class I (Delta class) enzymes together with class III members are implicated in conferring resistance to insecticides. Class II (Sigma class) GSTs, however, are poorly characterized and their exact biological function remains elusive. Drosophila glutathione S-transferase-2 (GST-2) (DmGSTS1-1) is a class II enzyme previously found associated specifically with the insect indirect flight muscle. It was recently shown that GST-2 exhibits considerable conjugation activity for 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), a lipid peroxidation product, raising the possibility that it has a major anti-oxidant role in the flight muscle. Here, we report the crystal structure of GST-2 at 1.75A resolution. The GST-2 dimer shows the canonical GST fold with glutathione (GSH) ordered in only one of the two binding sites. While the GSH-binding mode is similar to other GST structures, a distinct orientation of helix alpha6 creates a novel electrophilic substrate-binding site (H-site) topography, largely flat and without a prominent hydrophobic-binding pocket, which characterizes the H-sites of other GSTs. The H-site displays directionality in the distribution of charged/polar and hydrophobic residues creating a binding surface that explains the selectivity for amphipolar peroxidation products, with the polar-binding region formed by residues Y208, Y153 and R145 and the hydrophobic-binding region by residues V57, A59, Y211 and the C-terminal V249. A structure-based model of 4-HNE binding is presented. The model suggest that residues Y208, R145 and possibly Y153 may be key residues involved in catalysis.     

Posttranslational modification and regulation of glutamate-cysteine ligase by the α,β-unsaturated aldehyde 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal

4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE) is a lipid peroxidation product formed during oxidative stress that can alter protein function via adduction of nucleophilic amino acid residues. 4-HNE detoxification occurs mainly via glutathione (GSH) conjugation and transporter-mediated efflux. This results in a net loss of cellular GSH, and restoration of GSH homeostasis requires de novo GSH biosynthesis. The rate-limiting step in GSH biosynthesis is catalyzed by glutamate-cysteine ligase (GCL), a heterodimeric holoenzyme composed of a catalytic (GCLC) and a modulatory (GCLM) subunit. The relative levels of the GCL subunits are a major determinant of cellular GSH biosynthetic capacity and 4-HNE induces the expression of both GCL subunits. In this study, we demonstrate that 4-HNE can alter GCL holoenzyme formation and activity via direct posttranslational modification of the GCL subunits in vitro. 4-HNE directly modified Cys553 of GCLC and Cys35 of GCLM in vitro, which significantly increased monomeric GCLC enzymatic activity, but reduced GCL holoenzyme activity and formation of the GCL holoenzyme complex. In silico molecular modeling studies also indicate these residues are likely to be functionally relevant. Within a cellular context, this novel posttranslational regulation of GCL activity could significantly affect cellular GSH homeostasis and GSH-dependent detoxification during periods of oxidative stress.     

Characterization of a novel alpha-class anionic glutathione S-transferase isozyme from human liver

A novel, alpha-class glutathione S-transferase (GST) isozyme has been isolated from human liver using glutathione (GSH) affinity chromatography, DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange chromatography, and immunoaffinity chromatography. The isozyme is a dimer of approximately 25,000 Mr with blocked N termini. Structural, kinetic, and immunological properties of this enzyme indicate that it belongs to the alpha class of GSTs. Noticeable differences between the properties of this enzyme and the other alpha-class GSTs of human liver are its anionic nature (pI 5.0), GSH peroxidase activity toward hydrogen peroxide, and relatively higher GSH conjugating activities toward CDNB and epoxide substrates as compared to other alpha-class GSTs. Results of these studies indicate that anionic GST omega characterized previously (Y. C. Awasthi, D. D. Dao, and R. P. Saneto, 1980, Biochem. J. 191, 1-10) from human liver is a mixture of GST pi and a novel alpha-class GST. We have, therefore, reassigned the name GST omega to this new alpha-class anionic GST of human liver.     

The enhanced affinity for thiolate anion and activation of enzyme-bound glutathione is governed by an arginine residue of human Mu class glutathione S-transferases

A series of chimeric human Mu class glutathione S-transferases were designed to determine mechanisms by which they activate enzyme-bound glutathione (GSH) for reaction with electrophilic substrates. In view of evidence that the His(107) residue of hGSTM1a-1a is important for catalysis (Patskovsky, Y. V., Patskovska, L. N., and Listowsky, I. (1999) Biochemistry 38, 1193-1202), the cognate Arg(107) residue of the hGSTM2 subunit was replaced (R107N or R107H) and arginine residues were also incorporated into position 107 of hGSTM1 (H107R) and hGSTM4 (S107R) subunits. The major distinguishing kinetic properties invariably associated with enzymes containing an Arg(107) residue include an inverse dependence of k(cat) on viscosity and lower K(m(GSH values relative to enzymes with other residues at that position. Moreover, affinities for GSH thiolate anion binding are greater for enzymes containing Arg(107))), with K(d) values of 20-50 microM that are consistent with the K(m(GSH values (10-25 microM) obtained by steady-state kinetic analyses. Both thermodynamic and kinetic and data indicate that the Arg(107))) residue is specifically involved in enhancing the binding affinity of GSH thiolate anion relative to that of the protonated form. These enzymes therefore, can be more effective at lower GSH concentrations. Combined mutations indicate that both Arg(107) and Tyr(6) residues are required for thiolate anion formation and stabilization. The three-dimensional structure of ligand-free hGSTM2-2 determined by x-ray crystallography suggests that Arg(107) maintains an electrostatic interaction with the Asp(161) side chain (3 A apart), but is distant from the GSH-binding site. However, an alternative energetically favorable model places the guanidino group 4 A from the sulfur atom of bound GSH. It is suggested therefore, that in solution, motion of the positively charged arginine into the catalytic pocket could provide a counter ion to promote ionization of the sulfhydryl group of GSH, thereby accounting for the observed greater affinity of enzymes containing Arg(107) for binding of thiolate anion.     

Glutathione S-transferase catalyzes the isomerization of (R)-2-hydroxymenthofuran to mintlactones.

(R)-(+)-Menthofuran is the proximate toxic metabolite of pulegone, the major constituent of the pennyroyal oil, that contributes significantly to the hepatotoxicity resulting from ingestion of this folklore abortifacient pennyroyal oil. Recently, menthofuran was shown to be metabolized by cytochrome P450 to form (R)-2-hydroxymenthofuran. In this paper it is demonstrated that glutathione S-transferase (GST) catalyzes the tautomerization of 2-hydroxymenthofuran to mintlactone and isomintlactone, apparently without the formation of stable glutathione (GSH) conjugates. The reaction strictly required GSH; S-methyl GSH, which binds to the active site and leaves the active site Tyr-9 partly ionized, did not support GST-catalyzed isomerization. It was also determined that the tautomerization reaction requires the active site tyrosine, Tyr-9. The rat GSTA1-1 mutant (Y9F), with the active site tyrosine replaced with phenylalanine, demonstrated no catalytic activity. Rat cytosolic GST A1-1, in the presence of GSH, tautomerized 2-hydroxymenthofuran with apparent K(M) and V(max) values of 110 microM and 190 nmol/min/nmol GST, respectively. However, the site-directed mutant (F220Y), in which Tyr-9 and GSH in the binary complex [GST. GSH] have lower pK(a)s, exhibited K(M) and V(max) values of 97 microM and 280 nmol/min/nmol GST, respectively. Similarly, human liver cytosol catalyzed the tautomerization of 2-hydroxymenthofuran in a GST-dependent reaction. The mechanism most consistent with the data is a general-base catalyzed isomerization with GS(-) serving to deprotonate the substrate to initiate the reaction.     

Lifespan and stress resistance of Caenorhabditis elegans are increased by expression of glutathione transferases capable of metabolizing the lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxynonenal

Caenorhabditis elegans expresses a glutathione transferase (GST) belonging to the Pi class, for which we propose the name CeGSTP2-2. CeGSTP2-2 (the product of the gst-10 gene) has the ability to conjugate the lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE). Transgenic C. elegans strains were generated in which the 5'-flanking region and promoter of gst-10 were placed upstream of gst-10 and mGsta4 cDNAs, respectively. mGsta4 encodes the murine mGSTA4-4, an enzyme with particularly high catalytic efficiency for 4-HNE. The localization of both transgenes was similar to that of native CeGSTP2-2. The 4-HNE-conjugating activity in worm lysates increased in the order: control相似文献   

Amino acid substitutions at positions 207 and 221 contribute to catalytic differences between murine glutathione S-transferase Al-1 and A2-2 toward (+)-anti-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9, 10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene.

We have previously identified a novel Alpha class murine glutathione (GSH) S-transferase isoenzyme (designated mGSTAl-2) which is exceptionally efficient in catalyzing the GSH conjugation of (+)-anti-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene [(+)-anti-BPDE], the ultimate carcinogen of widespread environmental pollutant benzo[a]pyrene. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that the Al-type subunit of this isoenzyme is significantly more active toward (+)-anti-BPDE than the other subunit (mGSTA2). To establish the basis for catalytic differences between mGSTAl and mGSTA2, which differ in their primary structures by 10 amino acids [distributed in three sections (I-III) as clusters of two (residues 65 and 95), three (residues 157, 162, and 169), and five (residues 207, 213, 218, 221, and 222) amino acids], three chimeric enzymes were expressed and tested for their activity toward (+)-anti-BPDE. These studies revealed that amino acid substitution(s) in section III determined the high catalytic activity of mGSTAl. Molecular modeling studies suggested that amino acid substitutions at positions 207 and/or 221, but not at positions 213, 218, and 222, may be responsible for such a difference. To test this possibility, amino acids at positions 207 and 221 of mGSTAl were mutated with the equivalent residues of mGSTA2. Kinetic analysis of the wild type and the mutant enzymes revealed that both methionine-207 and isoleucine-221 are critical for higher activity of mGSTA1-1 toward (+)-anti-BPDE compared with that of mGSTA2-2.     

Human glutathione transferase P1-1 and nitric oxide carriers; a new role for an old enzyme

S-Nitrosoglutathione and the dinitrosyl-diglutathionyl iron complex are involved in the storage and transport of NO in biological systems. Their interactions with the human glutathione transferase P1-1 may reveal an additional physiological role for this enzyme. In the absence of GSH, S-nitrosoglutathione causes rapid and stable S-nitrosylation of both the Cys(47) and Cys(101) residues. Ion spray ionization-mass spectrometry ruled out the possibility of S-glutathionylation and confirms the occurrence of a poly-S-nitrosylation in GST P1-1. S-Nitrosylation of Cys(47) lowers the affinity 10-fold for GSH, but this negative effect is minimized by a half-site reactivity mechanism that protects one Cys(47)/dimer from nitrosylation. Thus, glutathione transferase P1-1, retaining most of its original activity, may act as a NO carrier protein when GSH depletion occurs in the cell. The dinitrosyl-diglutathionyl iron complex, which is formed by S-nitrosoglutathione decomposition in the presence of physiological concentrations of GSH and traces of ferrous ions, binds with extraordinary affinity to one active site of this dimeric enzyme (K(i) < 10(-12) m) and triggers negative cooperativity in the vacant subunit (K(i) = 10(-9) m). The complex bound to the enzyme is stable for hours, whereas in the free form and at low concentrations, its life time is only a few minutes. ESR and molecular modeling studies provide a reasonable explanation of this strong interaction, suggesting that Tyr(7) and enzyme-bound GSH could be involved in the coordination of the iron atom. All of the observed findings suggest that glutathione transferase P1-1, by means of an intersubunit communication, may act as a NO carrier under different cellular conditions while maintaining its well known detoxificating activity toward dangerous compounds.     

Residues 207, 216, and 221 and the catalytic activity of mGSTA1-1 and mGSTA2-2 toward benzo[a]pyrene-(7R,8S)-diol-(9S,10R)-epoxide

Murine class alpha glutathione S-transferase subunit types A2 (mGSTA2-2) and A1 (mGSTA1-1) have high catalytic efficiency for glutathione (GSH) conjugation of the ultimate carcinogenic metabolite of benzo[a]pyrene, (+)-anti-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-oxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene, [(+)-anti-BPDE]. Only 10 residues differ between the sequences of mGSTA1-1 and 2-2. However, the catalytic efficiency of mGSTA1-1 for GSH conjugation of (+)-anti-BPDE is >3-fold higher as compared with mGSTA2-2. The crystal structure of mGSTA1-1 in complex with the GSH conjugate of (+)-anti-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-oxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (GSBpd) reveals that R216 and I221 in the last helix play important roles in catalysis [Gu, Y., Singh, S. V., and Ji, X. (2000) Biochemistry 39, 12552-12557]. The crystal structure of mGSTA2-2 in complex with GSBpd has been determined, which reveals a different binding mode of GSBpd. Comparison of the two structures suggests that residues 207 and 221 are responsible for the different binding mode of GSBpd and therefore contribute to the distinct catalytic efficiency of the two isozymes.     

Differential expression of glutathione S-transferase isoenzymes in murine small intestine and colon

Glutathione (GSH) S-transferase (GST) isoenzymes of the small intestine and colon of female A/J mice have been purified and characterized to determine their interrelationships with other murine GSTs. Cytosolic GST activity in the small intestine was at least due to six isoenzymes with isoelectric points (pI) of 9.5, 9.3, 9.1, 8.5, 6.2 and 5.5. Small intestine isoenzymes with pI values of 9.5, 9.3, 8.5, and 6.2 were identical to the mGSTA1-1 (Alpha class), mGSTP1-1 (Pi class), mGSTM1-1 (Mu class) and mGSTA4-4 (Alpha class), respectively, of other A/J mouse tissues on the basis of their reverse-phase HPLC elution profile, immunological cross-reactivity and/or N-terminal region amino acid sequence. Even though GST9.1 of the small intestine cross-reacted with the antibodies raised against Pi class GST, reverse-phase HPLC and N-terminal amino acid sequence analyses suggested that this isoenzyme may be structurally different from mGSTP1-1 as well as mGSTP2-2. Likewise, despite immunological similarity with the Mu class GSTs, small intestine GST5.5 appeared to be different from other Mu class murine GSTs characterized previously. Cytosolic GST activity in the colon was mainly due to four isoenzymes with pI values of 9.8, 9.4, 6.6 and 5.8. While the identity of colon GST6.6 could not be established due to its low abundance, GST9.8, GST9.4 and GST5.8 were identical to mGSTP1-1, mGSTM1-1 and mGSTA4-4, respectively, of other A/J mouse tissues including the small intestine. Isoenzymes corresponding to small intestine GST9.1 and GST5.5 could not be detected in the colon. The results of the present study indicate that the small intestine of female A/J mice is better equipped for protection against toxic effects of electrophiles than colon.     

The anti-cancer drug chlorambucil as a substrate for the human polymorphic enzyme glutathione transferase P1-1: kinetic properties and crystallographic characterisation of allelic variants

The commonly used anti-cancer drug chlorambucil is the primary treatment for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Chlorambucil has been shown to be detoxified by human glutathione transferase Pi (GST P1-1), an enzyme that is often found over-expressed in cancer tissues. The allelic variants of GST P1-1 are associated with differing susceptibilities to leukaemia and differ markedly in their efficiency in catalysing glutathione (GSH) conjugation reactions. Here, we perform detailed kinetic studies of the allelic variants with the aid of three representative co-substrates. We show that the differing catalytic properties of the variants are highly substrate-dependent. We show also that all variants exhibit the same temperature stability in the range 10 °C to 45 °C. We have determined the crystal structures of GST P1-1 in complex with chlorambucil and its GSH conjugate for two of these allelic variants that have different residues at positions 104 and 113. Chlorambucil is found to bind in a non-productive mode to the substrate-binding site (H-site) in the absence of GSH. This result suggests that under certain stress conditions where GSH levels are low, GST P1-1 can inactivate the drug by sequestering it from the surrounding medium. However, in the presence of GSH, chlorambucil binds in the H-site in a productive mode and undergoes a conjugation reaction with GSH present in the crystal. The crystal structure of the GSH-chlorambucil complex bound to the *C variant is identical with the *A variant ruling out the hypothesis that primary structure differences between the variants cause structural changes at the active site. Finally, we show that chlorambucil is a very poor inhibitor of the enzyme in contrast to ethacrynic acid, which binds to the enzyme in a similar fashion but can act as both substrate and inhibitor.     

Affinity labeling of pig lung glutathione S-transferase pi by 4-(fluorosulfonyl)benzoic acid

The compound 4-(fluorosulfonyl)benzoic acid (4-FSB) functions as an affinity label of the dimeric pig lung pi class glutathione S-transferase yielding a completely inactive enzyme. Protection against inactivation is provided by glutathione-based ligands, suggesting that the reaction target is near or part of the glutathione binding site. Radioactive 4-FSB is incorporated to the extent of 1 mol per mole of enzyme subunit. Peptide mapping revealed that 4-FSB reacts with two tyrosine residues in the ratio 69% Tyr7 and 31% Tyr106. The ratio is not changed by the addition of ligands. The results suggest that only one of the tyrosine residues can be labeled in the active site of a given subunit; i.e., reactions with Tyr7 and Tyr106 are mutually exclusive. We propose that the difference in labeling of these tyrosine residues is related to their pKa values, with Tyr7 exhibiting the lower pKa. The modified enzyme no longer binds to a S-hexylglutathione-agarose affinity column, even when only one of the active sites contains 4-FSB; these results may reflect interaction between the subunits. We conclude that Tyr7 and Tyr106 of the pig lung class pi glutathione S-transferase are important for function and are located at or close to the substrate binding site of the enzyme.