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P Zimniak

Publications and source records attributed to P Zimniak.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

ATP-Dependent colchicine transport by human erythrocyte glutathione conjugate transporter.

We have recently demonstrated mutually inhibitory ATP-dependent transport of dinitrophenyl-S-glutathione (DNP-SG) and doxorubicin by DNP-SG ATPase purified from human erythrocyte membranes (S. Awasthi et al., 1998a,b). Our previous studies indicate a broad substrate specificity for this transport mechanism, including some P-glycoprotein substrates. Present studies were carried out to determine whether colchicine (COL), a classical P-glycoprotein substrate, could be transported by purified human erythrocyte DNP-SG ATPase reconstituted in artificial liposomes. We also investigated whether leukotriene C4 (LTC4), an endogenous proinflammatory glutathione-conjugate derived from arachidonic acid, would inhibit colchicine transport. Uptake of COL was compared in proteoliposomes reconstituted with the purified DNP-SG ATPase as well as control liposomes in the presence or absence of ATP. Increased colchicine uptake was observed upon addition of ATP to proteoliposomes, but not control liposomes. Uptake was linear with respect to the amount of vesicle protein used. Sensitivity to osmolarity was consistent with intravesicular COL accumulation. The ATP-dependent colchicine uptake was sensitive to temperature in a manner consistent with a protein-mediated transport process with activation energy of 7.3 kcal/mol. Time-dependent COL uptake by proteoliposomes in the presence of ATP was consistent with a single compartment model with an apparent rate constant of 0.21 +/- 0.02 min-1. Kinetic studies indicated a saturable behavior with respect to ATP (Km 2.3 +/- 0.7 mM) and colchicine (Km 4.3 +/- 0.2 microM). LTC4 was found to be a competitive inhibitor of COL transport (Kis 16.4 microM). Since DNP-SG ATPase is present in many tissues, it may play an important role in determining colchicine accumulation in cells. Increased LTC4 would tend to increase cellular COL accumulation.

Adenosine Triphosphatases

Role of active-site residues 107 and 108 of glutathione S-transferase mGSTA4-4 in determining the catalytic properties of the enzyme for 4-hydroxynonenal.

The murine alpha-class glutathione S-transferase mGSTA4-4 displays a high catalytic activity with 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), a cytotoxic product of lipid peroxidation. The X-ray crystal structure of mGSTA4-4 was used to design mutations targeting the 4-HNE binding site, with the goal of defining the structural elements of the mGSTA4-4 protein necessary for the high conjugative activity with 4-HNE. Two candidate positions, 107 and 108, were investigated. Of these, residue 108 appears to be significant in codetermining the catalytic properties of mGSTA4-4 toward 4-HNE. Systematic mutagenesis of amino acid 108 indicated that high activity toward 4-HNE is contingent on the presence of an aliphatic, hydrophobic side chain in this position. In particular, replacement of the wild-type V108 with leucine led to a more than fivefold increase in both absolute activity of the enzyme for 4-HNE and its selectivity for 4-HNE over the model substrate 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, due to a selective increase of the turnover number for 4-HNE with no change in the affinity of the protein for this substrate and no changes in the kinetic parameters for 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. In contrast, the A107L mutation decreased activity of the enzyme for both 4-HNE and CDNB and partially reversed the positive effect of the V108L mutation in a double mutant.

Alanine

Catalytic efficiencies of allelic variants of human glutathione S-transferase P1-1 toward carcinogenic anti-diol epoxides of benzo[c]phenanthrene and benzo[g]chrysene.

Four allelic variants of glutathione (GSH) S-transferase P1-1 (hGSTP1-1) that differ in their structures at amino acid(s) in position(s) 104 and/or 113 are known to exist in human populations. However, the physiological significance of hGSTP1-1 polymorphism is not fully understood. In this communication, we report that the I104,A113 allele of hGSTP1-1, which is most frequent in human populations, is also most efficient in the GSH conjugation of carcinogenic anti-diol epoxides of benzo[g]chrysene and benzo[c]phenanthrene (anti-BGCDE and anti-BCPDE, respectively). The catalytic efficiency of hGSTP1-1(I104,A113) isoform toward anti-BGCDE, 0.36 mM(-1) x s(-1), was approximately 1.7-fold higher (P < 0.05) compared with hGSTP1-1(V104,V113). Interestingly, the frequency of codon 104-valine alleles is significantly higher in certain cancers compared with codon 104-isoleucine alleles. Like anti-BGCDE, the catalytic efficiency of hGSTP1-1(I104,A113) isoform toward anti-BCPDE was higher by about 1.4- to 2.2-fold (P < 0.05) than those of other hGSTP1-1 variants. These observations are interesting because we have shown previously (Hu, X. et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 238: 397-402, 1997) that the V104,V113 variant, not the I104,A113 isoform, is most efficient in the GSH conjugation of bay-region anti-diol epoxide of benzo(a)pyrene (anti-BPDE), which, unlike anti-BGCDE or anti-BCPDE, is a planar molecule. In conclusion, our results suggest that hGSTP1-1 polymorphism may be an important factor in differential susceptibility of humans to cancers where polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are etiological factors and that I104,A113 variant may play a major role in the detoxification of nonplanar, sterically hindered fjord-region diol epoxides (e.g., anti-BGCDE).

Alleles

ATP-Dependent human erythrocyte glutathione-conjugate transporter. I. Purification, photoaffinity labeling, and kinetic characteristics of ATPase activity.

Dinitrophenyl S-glutathione (DNP-SG) ATPase is a 38 kDa membrane protein expressed in erythrocytes and other tissues. Although stimulation of ATP hydrolysis catalyzed by DNP-SG ATPase has been demonstrated in the presence of several structurally unrelated amphiphilic ions, structural and functional properties of this protein have not been well-defined. In the present study, we have developed an improved protocol for the purification of DNP-SG ATPase and investigated its kinetic and substrate-binding properties. The purification procedure was based on highly specific elution of the 38 kDa protein from DNP-SG affinity resin in the presence of ATP. The protein could not be eluted using either ADP or adenosine-5'-[beta,gamma-methylene]triphosphate (methylene-ATP), a nonhydrolyzable analogue of ATP. Doxorubicin (DOX), a weakly basic anthracycline chemotherapy agent, was found to be the preferred activator for stimulation of ATP hydrolysis by the enzyme. ATP binding to the enzyme was demonstrated using 8-azido-ATP photoaffinity labeling and binding of trinitrophenyl (TNP)-ATP, a fluorescent analogue of ATP. The photoaffinity labeling of DNP-SG ATPase (38 kDa) was saturable with respect to 8-azido ATP (Kd = 2 microM), indicating that the enzyme was capable of specific and saturable binding to ATP. DNP-SG binding was evident from the purification procedure itself and was also demonstrable by quenching of tryptophan fluorescence. Results of quenching of tryptophan fluorescence as well as radioactive isotope-binding studies indicated that DOX was bound to the purified protein as well.

Adenosine Triphosphatases

ATP-Dependent human erythrocyte glutathione-conjugate transporter. II. Functional reconstitution of transport activity.

Purified dinitrophenyl S-glutathione (DNP-SG) ATPase was reconstituted into artificial liposomes prepared from soybean asolectin. Electron micrography confirmed the formation of unilamellar vesicles with an average radius of 0.25 micron. Intravesicular volume estimated by incorporation of radiolabled inulin into the vesicles was found to be 19.7 +/- 1.3 microL/mL reconstitution solution. Accumulation of the glutathione-conjugate of CDNB, DNP-SG, and of doxorubicin (DOX) in the proteoliposomes was increased in the presence of ATP as compared to equimolar ADP or adenosine 5'-[beta,gamma-methylene]triphosphate tetralithium. ATP-dependent transmembrane movement of DOX and DNP-SG into DNP-SG ATPase-reconstituted vesicles was saturable with respect to time, sensitive to the osmolarity of the assay medium, and temperature dependent. The energy of activation was found to be 12 and 15 kcal/mol for DNP-SG and DOX, respectively. Optimal temperature for transport was 37 degrees C. Saturable transport was demonstrated for DNP-SG (Vmax of 433 +/- 20 nmol/min/mg of protein, KmATP = 2.4 +/- 0. 3 mM and KmDNP-SG = 36 +/- 5 microM) as well as DOX (Vmax = 194 +/- 19 nmol/min/mg of protein, KmATP = 2.5 +/- 0.6 mM and KmDOX = 2.4 +/- 0.7 microM). The kinetic data for both DNP-SG and DOX transport were consistent with a random bi-bi sequential reaction mechanism. DOX was found to be a competitive inhibitor of DNP-SG transport with Kis of 1.2 +/- 0.2 microM and DNP-SG was found to be a competitive inhibitor of DOX transport with Kis of 13.3 +/- 2.6 microM.

Adenosine Triphosphatases

Subcellular redistribution is involved in acute regulation of the brush border Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 3 in human colon adenocarcinoma cell line Caco-2. Protein kinase C-mediated inhibition of the exchanger.

Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 3 (NHE3), an epithelial brush border isoform of the Na+/H+ exchanger gene family, plays an important role in reabsorption of Na+ in the small intestine, the colon, and the kidney. In several cell types, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) acutely inhibits NHE3 activity by changes in Vmax, but the mechanism of this inhibition is unknown. We investigated the role of subcellular redistribution of NHE3 in the PMA-induced inhibition of endogenous brush border NHE3 in a model human colon adenocarcinoma cell line, Caco-2. Subcellular localization of NHE3 was examined by confocal morphometric analysis complemented with cell surface biotinylation and compared with NHE3 activity evaluated by fluorometric measurement of intracellular pH. PMA inhibited NHE3 activity by 28% (p < 0.01), which was associated with a decrease of the ratio of the brush border/subapical cytoplasmic compartment of NHE3 from approximately 4.3 to approximately 2.4. This translocation resulted in 10-15% of the total cell NHE3 being shifted from the brush border pool to the cytoplasmic pool. These effects were mediated by protein kinase C, since they were blocked by the protein kinase C inhibitor H7. We conclude that inhibition of NHE3 by protein kinase C in Caco-2 cells involves redistribution of the exchanger from brush border into a subapical cytoplasmic compartment, and that this mechanism contributes approximately 50% to the overall protein kinase C-induced inhibition of the exchanger.

Caco-2 Cells

Crystal structure of a murine alpha-class glutathione S-transferase involved in cellular defense against oxidative stress.

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are ubiquitous multifunctional enzymes which play a key role in cellular detoxification. The enzymes protect the cells against toxicants by conjugating them to glutathione. Recently, a novel subgroup of alpha-class GSTs has been identified with altered substrate specificity which is particularly important for cellular defense against oxidative stress. Here, we report the crystal structure of murine GSTA4-4, which is the first structure of a prototypical member of this subgroup. The structure was solved by molecular replacement and refined to 2.9 A resolution. It resembles the structure of other members of the GST superfamily, but reveals a distinct substrate binding site.

Animals

Specificities of human glutathione S-transferase isozymes toward anti-diol epoxides of methylchrysenes.

The specificities of human glutathione (GSH) S-transferase (GST) isozymes of class alpha (hGSTA1-1), mu (hGSTM1-1) and pi (hGSTP1-1), including the three allelic forms of hGSTP1-1 [hGSTP1-1(I104,A113), hGSTP1-1(V104,A113) and hGSTP1-1(V104,V113)], in catalyzing the GSH conjugation of anti-diol epoxide stereoisomers of 5-methylchrysene (anti-5-MeCDE) have been examined. The specific activities of human GSTs were significantly higher toward (+)-anti-5-MeCDE than toward the (-)-enantiomer of anti-5-MeCDE. All three variants of hGSTP1-1 were significantly more efficient than either hGSTA1-1 or hGSTM1-1 in GSH conjugation of (+)-anti-5-MeCDE. The catalytic efficiencies of hGSTP1-1 variants toward (+)-anti-5-MeCDE were in the order hGSTP1-1(I104,A113) > hGSTP1-1(V104,V113) > hGSTP1-1(V104,A113). The present study suggests that the I104,A113 allele, which is most frequent in human populations, may play a major role in the detoxification of (+)-anti-5-MeCDE. This may point to specificity, because previous studies from our laboratory have shown that the hGSTP1-1(V104,V113) isoform is significantly more efficient than the other two variants of hGSTP1-1 in catalyzing GSH conjugation of (+)-anti-7R,8S-dihydroxy-9S,10R-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene [(+)-anti-BPDE], the ultimate carcinogen of benzo[a]pyrene. Even though the mechanism of the differences in the activities of hGSTP1-1 variants toward anti-5-MeCDE versus anti-BPDE remains to be elucidated, it seems that the molecular configuration of the diol epoxide is an important determinant of the activity of hGSTP1-1 isoforms toward polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon diol epoxides.

Carcinogens

Lithocholyltaurine interacts with cholinergic receptors on dispersed chief cells from guinea pig stomach.

Although bile acids damage gastric mucosa, the mechanisms underlying tissue injury induced by these agents are not well understood. To determine whether bile acids alter gastric secretory function, we investigated the actions of sodium cholate, deoxycholate, lithocholate, and their taurine and glycine conjugates on a highly homogeneous population of gastric chief cells. Lithocholyltaurine (LCT), a particularly injurious bile acid, caused a threefold increase in pepsinogen secretion (detectable with 100 nM and maximal with 10 microM LCT). When combined with other secretagogues, increasing concentrations of LCT caused progressive inhibition of carbamylcholine (carbachol)-induced pepsinogen secretion but did not alter CCK- or 8-bromo-cAMP-induced secretion. Taurine and unconjugated lithocholate did not alter basal or carbachol-induced secretion. These observations suggested that LCT is a partial cholinergic agonist. To test this hypothesis, we examined the actions of the cholinergic antagonist atropine on LCT-induced pepsinogen secretion. Atropine (10 microM) abolished carbachol- and LCT-induced pepsinogen secretion. Likewise, carbachol (0.1 mM) and LCT (1 mM) induced an atropine-sensitive, two- to threefold increase in cellular levels of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. We examined the actions of LCT on binding of the cholinergic radioligand [N-methyl-3H]scopolamine ([3H]NMS) to chief cells. Half-maximal inhibition of [3H]NMS binding was observed with approximately 0.5 mM carbachol and 1 mM LCT. These results indicate that the bile acid LCT is a partial agonist for muscarinic cholinergic receptors on gastric chief cells.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate

Reduction of MTT by glutathione S-transferase.

The reduction of the tetrazolium salt 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) to a blue formazan product is widely used for assaying cell survival and proliferation. The reduction reaction is catalyzed by dehydrogenases localized in the mitochondria of viable cells. As part of an analysis of the ability of glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzymes to protect cells from electrophilic compounds, we found extremely high background levels of the formazan product produced by cells that overexpressed the mouse GST P1-1 enzyme. Further analysis with purified GST enzymes confirmed the ability of these enzymes to reduce MTT in vitro. These data suggest that cytotoxicity assays using MTT should be interpreted with caution, especially when studying the effects of compounds that can influence GST expression.

Animals

Activity of four allelic forms of glutathione S-transferase hGSTP1-1 for diol epoxides of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Allelic forms of hGSTP1-1 which differ from each other by their catalytic properties and, structurally, by the amino acid(s) in position(s) 104 or (and) 113 are known to exist in human populations. The four possible isoforms of hGSTP1-1 with isoleucine or valine in position 104 and with alanine or valine in position 113 were produced by site-directed mutagenesis of the cDNA followed by bacterial expression and purification of the proteins. Glutathione-conjugating activity was measured with the diol epoxides of benzo(a)pyrene and chrysene, as well as with the model substrate 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. Isoenzymes with valine in position 104 were more effective with the diol epoxides of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons but less effective with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene than the isoforms with isoleucine 104. In addition, the transition A113V in the presence of V104 caused a pronounced increase in catalytic efficiency for the benzo(a)pyrene but not the chrysene diol epoxide. It is proposed that amino acid 113 functions as part of a clamp that lines the mouth of the water channel leading to the active sites of the hGSTP1-1 dimer and controls the access to substrates. Therefore, the hydrophobicity and the size of residue 113 are important in co-determining the substrate specificity of the isoenzymes. The widely different activities of the allelic isoforms toward carcinogenic diol epoxides of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons may help to explain the correlation between cancer susceptibility and genotype at the hGSTP1 locus that has been found by others.

Alleles

Mechanism of differential catalytic efficiency of two polymorphic forms of human glutathione S-transferase P1-1 in the glutathione conjugation of carcinogenic diol epoxide of chrysene.

The kinetics of the conjugation of glutathione (GSH) with anti-1, 2-dihydroxy-3,4-oxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrochrysene (anti-CDE), the activated form of the widespread environmental pollutant chrysene, catalyzed by two naturally occurring polymorphic forms of the pi class human GSH S-transferase (hGSTP1-1), has been investigated. The polymorphic forms of hGSTP1-1, which differ in their primary structure by a single amino acid in position 104, exhibited preference for the GSH conjugation of (+)-anti-CDE, which is a far more potent carcinogen than (-)-anti-CDE. When concentration of anti-CDE was varied (5-200 microM and the GSH concentration was kept constant at 2 mM, both hGSTP1-1(I104) and hGSTP1-1(V104) obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics. However, the Vmax of GSH conjugation of anti-CDE was approximately 5.3-fold higher for the V104 variant than for the I104 form. Calculation of catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) thus resulted in a value for hGSTP1-1(V104), 28 mM-1 s-1, that was 7.0-fold higher than that for hGSTP1-1(I104), 4 mM-1 s-1. The mechanism of the differences in the kinetic properties of hGSTP1-1 isoforms toward anti-CDE was investigated by molecular modeling of the two proteins with GSH conjugation products in their active sites. These studies revealed that the enantioselectivity of hGSTP1-1 for (+)-anti-CDE and the differential catalytic efficiencies of the V104 and I104 forms of hGSTP1-1 in the GSH conjugation of (+)-anti-CDE were due to the differences in the active-site architecture of the two proteins. The results of the present study, for the first time, provide evidence for the toxicological relevance of GSTP1-1 polymorphism in humans and suggest that the population polymorphism of hGSTP1-1 variants with disparate enzyme activities may, at least in part, account for the differential susceptibility of individuals to environmental carcinogens such as anti-CDE and possibly other similar carcinogens.

Animals

Structure and function of the xenobiotic substrate-binding site and location of a potential non-substrate-binding site in a class pi glutathione S-transferase.

Complex structures of a naturally occurring variant of human class pi glutathione S-transferase 1-1 (hGSTP1-1) with either S-hexylglutathione or (9R,10R)-9-(S-glutathionyl)-10-hydroxy-9, 10-dihydrophenanthrene [(9R,10R)-GSPhen] have been determined at resolutions of 1.8 and 1.9 A, respectively. The crystal structures reveal that the xenobiotic substrate-binding site (H-site) is located at a position similar to that observed in class mu GST 1-1 from rat liver (rGSTM1-1). In rGSTM1-1, the H-site is a hydrophobic cavity defined by the side chains of Y6, W7, V9, L12, I111, Y115, F208, and S209. In hGSTP1-1, the cavity is approximately half hydrophobic and half hydrophilic and is defined by the side chains of Y7, F8, V10, R13, V104, Y108, N204, and G205 and five water molecules. A hydrogen bond network connects the five water molecules and the side chains of R13 and N204. V104 is positioned such that the introduction of a methyl group (the result of the V104I mutation) disturbs the H-site water structure and alters the substrate-binding properties of the isozyme. The hydroxyl group of Y7 forms a hydrogen bond (3.2 A) with the sulfur atom of the product. There is a short hydrogen bond (2.5 A) between Y108 (OH) and (9R, 10R)-GSPhen (O5), indicating the hydroxyl group of Y108 as an electrophilic participant in the addition of glutathione to epoxides. An N-(2-hydroxethyl)piperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) molecule is found in the cavity between beta2 and alphaI. The location and properties of this HEPES-binding site fit a possible non-substrate-binding site that is involved in noncompetitive inhibition of the enzyme.

Animals

Active site architecture of polymorphic forms of human glutathione S-transferase P1-1 accounts for their enantioselectivity and disparate activity in the glutathione conjugation of 7beta,8alpha-dihydroxy-9alpha,10alpha-ox y-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene.

In this study, we demonstrate that the active site architecture of the human glutathione (GSH) S-transferase Pi (GSTP1-1) accounts for its enantioselectivity in the GSH conjugation of 7beta,8alpha-dihydroxy-9alpha,10alpha-oxy-7,8,9, 10-tetrahydrobenzo(a) pyrene (anti-BPDE), the ultimate carcinogen of benzo(a)pyrene. Furthermore, we report that the two polymorphic forms of human GSTP1-1, differing in their primary structure by a single amino acid in position 104, have disparate activity toward (+)-anti-BPDE, which can also be rationalized in terms of their active site structures. When concentration of (+)-anti-BPDE, which among four BPDE isomers is the most potent carcinogen, was varied and GSH concentration was kept constant at 2 mM (saturating concentration), both forms of hGSTP1-1 [hGSTP1-1(V104) and hGSTP1-1(I104)] obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The V(max) of GSH conjugation of (+)-anti-BPDE was approximately 3.4-fold higher for hGSTP1-1(V104) than for hGSTP1-1(I104). Adherence to Michaelis-Menten kinetics was also observed for both isoforms when (-)-anti-BPDE, which is a weak carcinogen, was used as the variable substrate. However, (-)-anti-BPDE was a relatively poor substrate for both isoforms as compared with (+)-anti-BPDE. Moreover, there were no significant differences between hGSTP1-1(V104) and hGSTP1-1(I104) in either V(max) or K(m) for (-)-anti-BPDE. The mechanism of differences in kinetic properties and enantioselectivity of hGSTP1-1 variants toward anti-BPDE was investigated by modeling of the two proteins with conjugation product molecules in their active sites. Molecular modeling studies revealed that the differences in catalytic properties of hGSTP1-1 variants as well as the enantioselectivity of hGSTP1-1 in the GSH conjugation of anti-BPDE can be rationalized in terms of the architecture of their active sites. Our results suggest that the population polymorphism of hGSTP1-1 variants with disparate enzyme activities may, at least in part, account for the differential susceptibility of individuals to carcinogens such as anti-BPDE and possibly other similar carcinogens.

7,8-Dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene 9,10-oxide

Increased resistance to oxidative stress in transfected cultured cells overexpressing glutathione S-transferase mGSTA4-4.

Peroxidation of unsaturated fatty acids in membrane phospholipids is one of the multiple cytotoxic effects of oxidative stress. Lipid peroxidation is significant because a single initiating event triggers a chain reaction, thus amplifying the initial stimulus. Many oxidative stress-related pathologies have been linked to lipid peroxidation. Mouse glutathione S-transferase mGSTA4-4 exhibits high glutathione conjugating activity with toxic products of lipid peroxidation, e.g., 4-hydroxynon-2-enal. In addition, mGSTA4-4 has glutathione peroxidase activity toward phospholipid hydroperoxides. On the basis of these catalytic properties, we have previously proposed that the enzyme may be physiologically important in alleviating the cytotoxic effects of lipid peroxidation. We have now experimentally confirmed this hypothesis by transfecting HepG2 cells with mGSTA4 cDNA, and demonstrating a protective effect of expressed mGSTA4-4 protein on cells exposed during plating to H2O2, organic hydroperoxides, and phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide. As compared to cells transfected with insert-free vector, a larger proportion of mGSTA4-transfected cells was able to attach to the culture dish, and continued to divide in the presence of the above compounds. In addition to alleviating the cytotoxic effects of oxidative stress, mGSTA4-4 may interfere with the subtoxic but cytostatic signals generated by a low-level pro-oxidant state.

Animals

Rat GST 8-8 is expressed predominantly in myeloid origin cells infiltrating the gravid uterus.

Previous studies from our laboratory have shown a relatively high expression of rGST8-8 in uterine tissues. This GST isozyme displays relatively high glutathione-peroxidase activity towards lipid-hydroperoxides and towards toxic 4-hydroxyalkenals generated from lipid peroxidation. Since the uterus is a unique organ, subject to oxidative stress due to infiltration by immune effector cells during gestation and because this infiltration is readily identifiable histologically, the studies reported herein were performed to localize the cell specific expression of rGST8-8 to determine whether immune effector cells infiltrating the pregnant rat uterus specifically expressed rGST8-8. A 75 bp end-radiolabeled cRNA probe was prepared from the full length mGSTA4-4 cDNA from the region which is highly homologous with rGST8-8. This cRNA probe was used for in situ hybridization studies to localize rGST8-8 in specific cell types of gravid rat uterus. Results of these studies indicate that this GST isozyme is selectively expressed in myeloid origin cells such as monocytes/macrophages, and neutrophils infiltrating the uterine endometrium and in vascular walls. Selective expression of rGST8-8 in the myeloid origin cells, which are known to generate higher levels of reactive oxygen species, suggests that this GST isozyme plays an important role in the protection mechanisms against lipid peroxidation.

Animals

Purification and characterization of a 4-hydroxynonenal metabolizing glutathione S-transferase isozyme from bovine pulmonary microvessel endothelial cells.

Previous studies have suggested that a group of structurally and immunologically related mammalian glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) which utilize 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) as the preferred substrate and show glutathione peroxidase activity towards phospholipid hydroperoxides may be important for the defense of cells against lipid peroxidation. In present studies we have purified and characterized GST isozymes of bovine pulmonary microvessel endothelial (BPMVE) cells. The results of these studies indicate that BPMVE cells express relatively high amounts of a GST isozyme which utilizes 4-HNE as the preferred substrate. This GST isozyme purified to homogeneity from BPMVE cells showed remarkably high specific activity towards 4-HNE (48.3 units/mg protein) and had similar immunological, kinetic, and structural characteristics as reported for mouse enzyme mGSTA4-4 and other mammalian GSTs of this group. Since the endothelial cells are exposed to constant oxidative stress, we suggest that this GST isozyme may be important for the defense of these cells against lipid peroxidation.

Aldehydes