Enzymology of microsomal glutathione S-transferase

Effect of hyperthyroidism on the in vitro metabolism and covalent binding of 1,1-dichloroethylene in rat liver microsomes

Hyperthyroidism potentiates the in vivo hepatotoxicity of 1,1-dicholoroethylene (DCE) in rats, with a concomitant increase in [14C]-DCE covalent binding. The enhanced injury produced in hyperthyroid livers by DCE could be due to alterations in either the bioactivation or detoxication phases of DCE metabolism. Previous in vitro studies suggested that hyperthyroidism did not potentiate DCE hepatotoxicity by increasing DCE oxidation to intermediates which were able to covalently bind. Several factors, however, that could contribute to the magnitude of DCE bioactivation or covalent binding were not examined. Our objectives were to characterize the effects of hyperthyroidism in male Sprague-Dawley rats on: (1) covalent binding of [14C]-DCE to microsomes and other subcellular fractions, (2) microsomal mixed-function oxidase (MFO) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities, and (3) inactivation of microsomal enzyme activities by presumptive DCE reactive intermediates. Hyperthyroid (HYPERT) and euthyroid (EUT) rats received 3 s.c. injections of thyroxine (100 micrograms/100 g) or vehicle, respectively, at 48-h intervals; microsomes and other subcellular fractions were isolated from HYPERT and EUT livers 24 h after the last injection. [14C]-DCE-derived covalent binding was consistently greater in EUT than HYPERT microsomes. The absence of NADH, and the addition of low concentrations (0.1 and 0.5 mM), but not higher concentrations (> 1 mM), of glutathione (GSH) diminished covalent binding to a greater extent in HYPERT than EUT microsomes. Covalent binding in mitochondrial, nuclear, and cytosolic fractions of EUT and HYPERT livers was equivalent. Regression analysis of covalent binding to liver cell fractions from both EUT and HYPERT rats showed a significant correlation with P-450 content. Hyperthyroidism decreased microsomal, but not mitochondrial, cytochrome P-450 content, and MFO activities for 7-ethoxycoumarin and benzphermine were similarly decreased. Hyperthyroidism also diminished microsomal GST activity, and altered GST kinetics for both GSH and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB). The magnitude of inactivation of MFO and GST activities in the presence of DCE (presumably by DCE reactive intermediates) was comparable between EUT and HYPERT microsomes. When covalent binding was standardized to cytochrome P-450 concentrations in microsomes and mitochondria, HYPERT fractions exhibited slightly greater covalent binding than EUT fractions, suggesting that hyperthyroidism does not reduce the capacity of P-450 hemoproteins to bioactive DCE. Thus, potentiation of DCE hepatotoxicity by hyperthyroidism may be predominantly due to diminished Phase II constituents, and major increases in reactive intermediate/conjugates that covalently bind to and impair critical cellular molecules.

Alterations in susceptibility to carbon tetrachloride toxicity and hepatic antioxidant/detoxification system in streptozotocin-induced short-term diabetic rats: effects of insulin and Schisandrin B treatment

The streptozotocin-induced short-term (2 week) diabetic rats showed an increase in susceptibility to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatocellular damage. This diabetes-induced change was associated with a marked impairment in the hepatic glutathione antioxidant/detoxification response to CCl4 challenge, as indicated by the abrogation of the increases in hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH) level, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and microsomal glutathione S-transferases (GST) activities upon challenge with increasing doses of CCl4. While the hepatic GSH level was increased in diabetic rats, the hepatic mitochondrial GSH level and Se-glutathione peroxidase activity were significantly reduced. Insulin treatment could reverse most of the biochemical alterations induced by diabetes. Both insulin and schisandrin B (Sch B) pretreatments protected against the CCl4 hepatotoxicity in diabetic rats. The hepatoprotection was associated with improvement in hepatic glutathione redox status in both cytosolic and mitochondrial compartments, as well as the increases in hepatic ascorbic acid level and microsomal GST activity. The ensemble of results suggests that the diabetes-induced impairment in hepatic mitochondrial glutathione redox status may at least in part be attributed to the enhanced susceptibility to CCl4 hepatotoxicity. Sch B may be a useful hepatoprotective agent against xenobiotics-induced toxicity under the diabetic conditions.

Evidence that human class Theta glutathione S-transferase T1-1 can catalyse the activation of dichloromethane, a liver and lung carcinogen in the mouse. Comparison of the tissue distribution of GST T1-1 with that of classes Alpha, Mu and Pi GST in human

The cDNA encoding human glutathione S-transferase (GST) T1 has been expressed as two recombinant forms in Escherichia coli that could be purified by affinity chromatography on either IgG-Sepharose or nickel-agarose; one form of the transferase was synthesized from the pALP 1 expression vector as a Staphylococcus aureus protein A fusion, whereas the other form was synthesized from the pET-20b expression vector as a C-terminal polyhistidine-tagged recombinant. The yields of the two purified recombinant proteins from E. coli cultures were approx. 15 mg/l for the protein A fusion and 25 mg/l for the C-terminal polyhistidine-tagged GST T1-1. The purified recombinant proteins were catalytically active, although the protein A fusion was typically only 5-30% as active as the histidine-tagged GST. Both recombinant forms could catalyse the conjugation of glutathione with the model substrates 1,2-epoxy-3-(4'-nitrophenoxy)propane,4-nitrobenzyl chloride and 4-nitrophenethyl bromide but were inactive towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, ethacrynic acid and 1-menaphthyl sulphate. Recombinant human GST T1-1 was found to exhibit glutathione peroxidase activity and could catalyse the reduction of cumene hydroperoxide. In addition, recombinant human GST T1-1 was found to conjugate glutathione with dichloromethane, a pulmonary and hepatic carcinogen in the mouse. Immunoblotting with antibodies raised against different transferase isoenzymes showed that GST T1-1 is expressed in a large number of human organs in a tissue-specific fashion that differs from the pattern of expression of classes Alpha, Mu and Pi GST. Most significantly, GST T1-1 was found in only low levels in human pulmonary soluble extract of cells, suggesting that in man the lung has little capacity to activate the volatile dichloromethane.

Identification and characterization of a novel microsomal enzyme with glutathione-dependent transferase and peroxidase activities

5-Lipoxygenase activating protein (FLAP), leukotriene-C4 (LTC4) synthase, and microsomal glutathione S-transferase II (microsomal GST-II) are all members of a common gene family that may also include microsomal GST-I. The present work describes the identification and characterization of a novel member of this family termed microsomal glutathione S-transferase III (microsomal GST-III). The open reading frame encodes a 16.5-kDa protein with a calculated pI of 10.2. Microsomal GST-III has 36, 27, 22, and 20% amino acid identity to microsomal GST-II, LTC4 synthase, microsomal GST-I, and FLAP, respectively. Microsomal GST-III also has a similar hydrophobicity pattern to FLAP, LTC4 synthase, and microsomal GST-I. Fluorescent in situ hybridization mapped microsomal GST-III to chromosomal localization 1q23. Like microsomal GST-II, microsomal GST-III has a wide tissue distribution (at the mRNA level) and is predominantly expressed in human heart, skeletal muscle, and adrenal cortex, and it is also found in brain, placenta, liver, and kidney tissues. Expression of microsomal GST-III mRNA was also detected in several glandular tissues such as pancreas, thyroid, testis, and ovary. In contrast, microsomal GST-III mRNA expression was very low (if any) in lung, thymus, and peripheral blood leukocytes. Microsomal GST-III protein was expressed in a baculovirus insect cell system, and microsomes from Sf9 cells containing either microsomal GST-II or microsomal GST-III were both found to possess glutathione-dependent peroxidase activity as shown by their ability to reduce 5-HPETE to 5-HETE in the presence of reduced glutathione. The apparent Km of 5-HPETE was determined to be approximately 7 microM for microsomal GST-II and 21 microM for microsomal GST-III. Microsomal GST-III was also found to catalyze the production of LTC4 from LTA4 and reduced glutathione. Based on these catalytic activities it is proposed that this novel membrane protein is a member of the microsomal glutathione S-transferase super family, which also includes microsomal GST-I, LTC4 synthase, FLAP, and microsomal GST-II.

Characterization of microsomal GST-II by western blot and identification of a novel LTC4 isomer

Protein expression of microsomal GST-II and LTC4 synthase was analyzed by Western blot. Correlation between a 17 kDa band and LTC4 formation was observed for both enzymes. The expression of microsomal GST-II was several fold more efficient than the expression of LTC4 synthase. In addition to catalyzing the biosynthesis of LTC4, microsomal GST-II also produces another product, which has been subjected to mass spectrometric analysis. This analysis demonstrates that the novel product is an isomer of LTC4.

Binding of glutathione and an inhibitor to microsomal glutathione transferase

Microsomal glutathione transferase is an abundant liver protein that can be activated by thiol reagents. It is not known whether the activation is associated with changed binding properties of the enzyme. Therefore the binding of GSH and an inhibitor to rat liver microsomal glutathione transferase was studied by use of equilibrium dialysis and equilibrium partition in a two-phase system. The radioactive substrate glutathione and an inhibitor (glutathione sulphonate) give hyperbolic binding isotherms with a stoichiometry of 1 mol per mol of enzyme (i.e. 1 molecule per homotrimer). Glutathione had an equilibrium binding constant of 18 microM. Competition experiments involving glutathione sulphonate showed that it could effectively displace GSH. These and kinetic studies showed that the Kd and Ki for glutathione sulphonic acid are close to 10 microM. No change in these parameters was obtained after N-ethylmaleimide activation of the enzyme. Thus activation does not result from changes in binding affinity to GSH.

Production of leukotriene C4 in different human tissues is attributable to distinct membrane bound biosynthetic enzymes

Microsomal glutathione S-transferase-II (GST-II) has recently been discovered and characterized as a member of the 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (FLAP)/5(S)-hydroxy-6(R)-S-glutathionyl-7,9-trans-11, 14-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid (LTC4) synthase gene family, which also includes microsomal glutathione S-transferase-I (GST-I) as a distant member of this gene family. This new enzyme is unique as it is the only member of this family capable of efficiently conjugating reduced glutathione to both 5,6-oxido-7,9,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (LTA4) and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. Although microsomal GST-II has been demonstrated to display both general glutathione S-transferase (GST) and specific LTC4 synthase activities, its biological function remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the physiological location of microsomal GST-II as well as the relative importance of this enzyme versus LTC4 synthase for the production of LTC4 in various human tissues and cells that have been previously demonstrated to possess LTC4 synthase activity. As determined by Western blot, microsomal GST-II was predominantly expressed in human liver microsomes, human endothelial cell membranes, and sparsely detected in human lung membranes. In contrast, LTC4 synthase was prevalent in human lung membranes, human platelet homogenates, and human kidney tissue. Concomitant to the formation of LTC4, microsomal GST-II also produces a new metabolite of LTA4, a postulated LTC4 isomer. This isomer was used to distinguish between microsomal GST-II and LTC4 synthase activities involved in the biosynthesis of LTC4. Based on the relative production of LTC4 to the LTC4 isomer, microsomal GST-II was demonstrated to be the principal enzyme responsible for LTC4 production in human liver microsomes and human endothelial cells and played a minor role in the formation of LTC4 in human lung membranes. In comparison, LTC4 synthase was the main enzyme capable of catalyzing the conjugation of reduced glutathione to LTA4 in human lung membranes and human platelet homogenates. Therefore, microsomal GST-II appears to be an integral component in the detoxification of biological systems due to its marked presence in human liver, in accordance with its known GST activity. Microsomal GST-II, however, may also be pivotal for cysteinyl leukotriene formation in endothelial cells, and this could change our current understanding of the regulation of leukotriene biosynthesis in inflammatory disorders such as asthma.

Purification and characterization of class alpha and Mu glutathione S-transferases from porcine liver

Six cytosolic GSTs from porcine liver were purified by a combination of glutathione affinity chromatography and ion-exchange HPLC. The isoenzymes were characterized by SDS-PAGE, gel filtration, isoelectric focusing, immunoblotting analysis and determination of substrate specificities and inhibition characteristics. The purified GSTs belong to the alpha and mu classes, respectively. No class pi isoenzyme was isolated or detected. The class alpha GST pA1-1* exists as a homodimer (M(r) = 25.3 kDa), whereas GST pA2-3* consists of two subunits with different M(r) values (27.0 and 25.3 kDa). The estimated pI values were 9.5 and 8.8, respectively. Furthermore, four class mu porcine GSTs, pM1-1*, pM1-2*, pM3-?* and pM4-?*, were isolated. The isoenzyme pM1-1* possesses a relative molecular mass of 27.2 kDa and a pI value of 6.2. Additional pM1 isoenzymes hybridize with the subunit pM2* (M(r) = 25.2) to furnish a heterodimer, which shows a pI value of 5.8. The other class mu isoenzymes are heterodimers with pI values of 5.45 and 5.05. Substrate specificities and inhibition characteristics correlate very well with those of the corresponding human isoenzymes. The results are discussed with regard to the usefulness of porcine GSTs as an in vitro testing model.

Higher Frequency of Glutathione S-Transferase Deletions in Black Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

The genetic polymorphisms in human glutathione S-transferases (GST) M1 and T1 have been associated with race, disease risk, and outcome of some adult cancers. Also, there are racial differences in the incidence and characteristics of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Our objectives were to compare the frequency of the null genotype for GSTM1, GSTT1, or both in children with ALL to that in healthy controls, and to determine whether GST genotype was associated with treatment outcome and prognostic factors. We studied GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes in somatic cell DNA from black children and white children with ALL and in 416 healthy controls, using a polymerase chain reaction technique. Ninety of 163 (55.2%) white ALL patients and 14 of 34 (41.2%) black patients were GSTM1 null, frequencies not significantly different (P = .19) than healthy controls (53.5% in whites and 27.6% in blacks), although there was a trend toward more null genotypes in black ALL patients. Twenty-three of 163 (14.1%) white ALL patients and 12 of 34 (35.3%) black ALL patients were GSTT1 null, not different (P = .34) than the frequencies in healthy controls (15.0% in whites and 24.1% in blacks). However, the frequency of the “double-null” genotype, lacking both GSTM1 and GSTT1, was higher in black patients with ALL (8 of 34 or 23.5%) than in black controls (3.9%) (P = .0005), but this was not the case in white patients with ALL (10 of 163 or 6.1%) compared to white controls (8.0%) (P = .68). In stratified analyses, the GST double-null genotype was not associated with other characteristics that might differ between whites and blacks with ALL, such as age, T-lineage immunophenotype, presenting white blood cell count, DNA index, or insurance status. The null genotype for GSTM1, GSTT1, or both was not found to be a prognostic factor for disease-free survival or probability of hematologic remission; central nervous system relapse tended to be less common in those with the GSTM1 null genotype (P = .054) . The double-null genotype for GSTM1 and GSTT1 is more common among blacks but not whites with childhood ALL. These data suggest that GST genotype, coupled with unidentified additional risk factors, may play a role in risk of childhood ALL in American blacks.

Higher Frequency of Glutathione S-Transferase Deletions in Black Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

The genetic polymorphisms in human glutathione S-transferases (GST) M1 and T1 have been associated with race, disease risk, and outcome of some adult cancers. Also, there are racial differences in the incidence and characteristics of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Our objectives were to compare the frequency of the null genotype for GSTM1, GSTT1, or both in children with ALL to that in healthy controls, and to determine whether GST genotype was associated with treatment outcome and prognostic factors. We studied GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes in somatic cell DNA from black children and white children with ALL and in 416 healthy controls, using a polymerase chain reaction technique. Ninety of 163 (55.2%) white ALL patients and 14 of 34 (41.2%) black patients were GSTM1 null, frequencies not significantly different (P = .19) than healthy controls (53.5% in whites and 27.6% in blacks), although there was a trend toward more null genotypes in black ALL patients. Twenty-three of 163 (14.1%) white ALL patients and 12 of 34 (35.3%) black ALL patients were GSTT1 null, not different (P = .34) than the frequencies in healthy controls (15.0% in whites and 24.1% in blacks). However, the frequency of the “double-null” genotype, lacking both GSTM1 and GSTT1, was higher in black patients with ALL (8 of 34 or 23.5%) than in black controls (3.9%) (P = .0005), but this was not the case in white patients with ALL (10 of 163 or 6.1%) compared to white controls (8.0%) (P = .68). In stratified analyses, the GST double-null genotype was not associated with other characteristics that might differ between whites and blacks with ALL, such as age, T-lineage immunophenotype, presenting white blood cell count, DNA index, or insurance status. The null genotype for GSTM1, GSTT1, or both was not found to be a prognostic factor for disease-free survival or probability of hematologic remission; central nervous system relapse tended to be less common in those with the GSTM1 null genotype (P = .054) . The double-null genotype for GSTM1 and GSTT1 is more common among blacks but not whites with childhood ALL. These data suggest that GST genotype, coupled with unidentified additional risk factors, may play a role in risk of childhood ALL in American blacks.

Cytochrome P450 2D6 and glutathione S-transferase genotype in sudden infant death syndrome

OBJECTIVES

The risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has been linked with xenobiotic exposures, race and inheritance. Because cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) and glutathione S-transferases (GSTM1 and GSTT1) are genetically regulated, polymorphically distributed, and responsible for detoxification of many centrally acting exogenous and endogenous bioactive compounds, our objective was to determine whether the prevalences of deficiencies in CYP2D6, GSTM1, and GSTT1 differ in SIDS victims compared to healthy controls.

METHODS

CYP2D6 mutations (deletion, A, B, and T alleles) and GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes were assessed in DNA from 50 SIDS victims. CYP2D6 phenotype, assigned using dextromethorphan urinary ratios, was assessed in 25 unrelated parents of SIDS victims.

RESULTS

The CYP2D6B mutation was the only mutant CYP2D6 allele found in SIDS victims, present in 26.2% of patients (11/42) and 13.1% (11/84) of alleles. Adjusting for race, the prevalence of wild-type CYP2D6 alleles and of homozygous wild-type CYP2D6 phenotype was not different in SIDS victims compared to controls (P = 0.585 and 0.224, respectively). Among the 25 parents of SIDS victims, all subjects were extensive metabolizers, a prevalence not different from controls (P = 0.243). The prevalence of the null genotype for GSTM1, GSTT1 and double-null for GSTM1 and GSTT1 was 33.3%, 21.4% and 9.5%, respectively, among SIDS victims, and was not different than controls (P = 0.61, 0.1, 0.28, respectively). The combination of CYP2D6 homozygous wild-type genotype and the null genotype for GSTM1, GSTT1, or both GSTM1 + GSTT1 also did not differ in SIDS victims and controls.

CONCLUSIONS

The frequencies of CYP2D6 mutant genotypes and the null genotypes for GSTM1 and GSTT1 were not different among SIDS victims compared to normal controls, and thus these polymorphisms are unlikely to identify families with a high risk of SIDS.

Identification and characterization of a novel human microsomal glutathione S-transferase with leukotriene C4 synthase activity and significant sequence identity to 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein and leukotriene C4 synthase

5-Lipoxygenase-activating protein (FLAP) and leukotriene C4 (LTC4) synthase, two proteins involved in leukotriene biosynthesis, have been demonstrated to be 31% identical at the amino acid level. We have recently identified and characterized a novel member of the FLAP/LTC4 synthase gene family termed microsomal glutathione S-transferase II (microsomal GST-II). The open reading frame encodes a 16.6-kDa protein with a calculated pI of 10.4. Microsomal GST-II has 33% amino acid identity to FLAP, 44% amino acid identity to LTC4 synthase, and 11% amino acid identity to the previously characterized human microsomal GST (microsomal GST-I). Microsomal GST-II also has a similar hydrophobicity pattern to FLAP, LTC4 synthase, and microsomal GST-I. Fluorescent in situ hybridization mapped microsomal GST-II to chromosomal localization 4q28-31. Microsomal GST-II has a wide tissue distribution (at the mRNA level) and was specifically expressed in human liver, spleen, skeletal muscle, heart, adrenals, pancreas, prostate, testis, fetal liver, and fetal spleen. In contrast, microsomal GST-II mRNA expression was very low (when present) in lung, brain, placenta, and bone marrow. This differs from FLAP mRNA, which was detected in lung, various organs of the immune system, and peripheral blood leukocytes, and LTC4 synthase mRNA, which could not be detected in any tissues by Northern blot analysis. Microsomal GST-II and LTC4 synthase were expressed in a baculovirus insect cell system, and microsomes from Sf9 cells containing microsomal GST-II or LTC4 synthase were both found to catalyze the production of LTC4 from LTA4 and reduced glutathione. Microsomal GST-II also catalyzed the formation of another product, displaying a conjugated triene UV absorption spectra with a maximum at 283 nm, suggesting less catalytic stereospecificity compared with LTC4 synthase. Also, the apparent Km for LTA4 was higher for microsomal GST-II (41 microM) than LTC4 synthase (7 microM). In addition, unlike LTC4 synthase, microsomal GST-II was able to catalyze the conjugation of 1-chloro-2, 4-dinitrobenzene with reduced glutathione. Therefore, it is proposed that this novel membrane protein is a member of the microsomal glutathione S-transferase family, also including LTC4 synthase, with significant sequence identities to both LTC4 synthase and FLAP.

Microsomal formation of S-nitrosoglutathione from organic nitrites: possible role of membrane-bound glutathione transferase

The formation of S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) from amyl nitrite and n-butyl nitrite was studied in rat liver microsomes, employing N-ethylmaleimide (MalNEt) as an activator and indomethacin as an inhibitor of microsomal glutathione S-transferase (GST). Rates were compared with GST activity measured with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) as a substrate. MalNEt stimulated GST activity and the formation of GSNO from amyl nitrite and n-butyl nitrite about 10-fold. Increasing concentrations of indomethacin inhibited both reactions in parallel. N-Acetyl-L-cysteine but not L-cysteine could substitute for GSH. It is concluded that rat liver microsomal GST catalyses the formation of GSNO from amyl nitrite and n-butyl nitrite. The activity of the MalNEt-stimulated microsomal GST is calculated to be about 17 units/mg of enzyme with the alkyl nitrites and about 16 units/mg of enzyme with CDNB as a substrate, assuming that 3% of microsomal protein is GST. These rates are comparable with those obtained for cytosolic GSTs. Thus microsomal GST may play a significant role in the metabolism of alkyl nitrites in biological membranes.

The glutathione S-transferase supergene family: regulation of GST and the contribution of the isoenzymes to cancer chemoprotection and drug resistance

The glutathione S-transferases (GST) represent a major group of detoxification enzymes. All eukaryotic species possess multiple cytosolic and membrane-bound GST isoenzymes, each of which displays distinct catalytic as well as noncatalytic binding properties: the cytosolic enzymes are encoded by at least five distantly related gene families (designated class alpha, mu, pi, sigma, and theta GST), whereas the membrane-bound enzymes, microsomal GST and leukotriene C4 synthetase, are encoded by single genes and both have arisen separately from the soluble GST. Evidence suggests that the level of expression of GST is a crucial factor in determining the sensitivity of cells to a broad spectrum of toxic chemicals. In this article the biochemical functions of GST are described to show how individual isoenzymes contribute to resistance to carcinogens, antitumor drugs, environmental pollutants, and products of oxidative stress. A description of the mechanisms of transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of GST isoenzymes is provided to allow identification of factors that may modulate resistance to specific noxious chemicals. The most abundant mammalian GST are the class alpha, mu, and pi enzymes and their regulation has been studied in detail. The biological control of these families is complex as they exhibit sex-, age-, tissue-, species-, and tumor-specific patterns of expression. In addition, GST are regulated by a structurally diverse range of xenobiotics and, to date, at least 100 chemicals have been identified that induce GST; a significant number of these chemical inducers occur naturally and, as they are found as nonnutrient components in vegetables and citrus fruits, it is apparent that humans are likely to be exposed regularly to such compounds. Many inducers, but not all, effect transcriptional activation of GST genes through either the antioxidant-responsive element (ARE), the xenobiotic-responsive element (XRE), the GST P enhancer 1(GPE), or the glucocorticoid-responsive element (GRE). Barbiturates may transcriptionally activate GST through a Barbie box element. The involvement of the Ah-receptor, Maf, Nrl, Jun, Fos, and NF-kappa B in GST induction is discussed. Many of the compounds that induce GST are themselves substrates for these enzymes, or are metabolized (by cytochrome P-450 monooxygenases) to compounds that can serve as GST substrates, suggesting that GST induction represents part of an adaptive response mechanism to chemical stress caused by electrophiles. It also appears probable that GST are regulated in vivo by reactive oxygen species (ROS), because not only are some of the most potent inducers capable of generating free radicals by redox-cycling, but H2O2 has been shown to induce GST in plant and mammalian cells: induction of GST by ROS would appear to represent an adaptive response as these enzymes detoxify some of the toxic carbonyl-, peroxide-, and epoxide-containing metabolites produced within the cell by oxidative stress. Class alpha, mu, and pi GST isoenzymes are overexpressed in rat hepatic preneoplastic nodules and the increased levels of these enzymes are believed to contribute to the multidrug-resistant phenotype observed in these lesions. The majority of human tumors and human tumor cell lines express significant amounts of class pi GST. Cell lines selected in vitro for resistance to anticancer drugs frequently overexpress class pi GST, although overexpression of class alpha and mu isoenzymes is also often observed. The mechanisms responsible for overexpression of GST include transcriptional activation, stabilization of either mRNA or protein, and gene amplification. In humans, marked interindividual differences exist in the expression of class alpha, mu, and theta GST. The molecular basis for the variation in class alpha GST is not known. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)