Binding and glutathione conjugation of porphyrinogens by plant glutathione transferases

Genes encoding cytochrome P450 monooxygenases and glutathione S-transferases associated with herbicide resistance evolved before the origin of land plants

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) monooxygenases and glutathione S-transferases (GST) are enzymes that catalyse chemical modifications of a range of organic compounds. Herbicide resistance has been associated with higher levels of CYP and GST gene expression in some herbicide-resistant weed populations compared to sensitive populations of the same species. By comparing the protein sequences of 9 representative species of the Archaeplastida-the lineage which includes red algae, glaucophyte algae, chlorophyte algae, and streptophytes-and generating phylogenetic trees, we identified the CYP and GST proteins that existed in the common ancestor of the Archaeplastida. All CYP clans and all but one land plant GST classes present in land plants evolved before the divergence of streptophyte algae and land plants from their last common ancestor. We also demonstrate that there are more genes encoding CYP and GST proteins in land plants than in algae. The larger numbers of genes among land plants largely results from gene duplications in CYP clans 71, 72, and 85 and in the GST phi and tau classes [1,2]. Enzymes that either metabolise herbicides or confer herbicide resistance belong to CYP clans 71 and 72 and the GST phi and tau classes. Most CYP proteins that have been shown to confer herbicide resistance are members of the CYP81 family from clan 71. These results demonstrate that the clan and class diversity in extant plant CYP and GST proteins had evolved before the divergence of land plants and streptophyte algae from a last common ancestor estimated to be between 515 and 474 million years ago. Then, early in embryophyte evolution during the Palaeozoic, gene duplication in four of the twelve CYP clans, and in two of the fourteen GST classes, led to the large numbers of CYP and GST proteins found in extant land plants. It is among the genes of CYP clans 71 and 72 and GST classes phi and tau that alleles conferring herbicide resistance evolved in the last fifty years.

A dual role for glutathione transferase U7 in plant growth and protection from methyl viologen-induced oxidative stress

Plant glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are glutathione-dependent enzymes with versatile functions, mainly related to detoxification of electrophilic xenobiotics and peroxides. The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) genome codes for 53 GSTs, divided into seven subclasses; however, understanding of their precise functions is limited. A recent study showed that class II TGA transcription factors TGA2, TGA5, and TGA6 are essential for tolerance of UV-B-induced oxidative stress and that this tolerance is associated with an antioxidative function of cytosolic tau-GSTs (GSTUs). Specifically, TGA2 controls the expression of several GSTUs under UV-B light, and constitutive expression of GSTU7 in the tga256 triple mutant is sufficient to revert the UV-B-susceptible phenotype of tga256. To further study the function of GSTU7, we characterized its role in mitigation of oxidative damage caused by the herbicide methyl viologen (MV). Under non-stress conditions, gstu7 null mutants were smaller than wild-type (WT) plants and delayed in the onset of the MV-induced antioxidative response, which led to accumulation of hydrogen peroxide and diminished seedling survival. Complementation of gstu7 by constitutive expression of GSTU7 rescued these phenotypes. Furthermore, live monitoring of the glutathione redox potential in intact cells with the fluorescent probe Grx1-roGFP2 revealed that GSTU7 overexpression completely abolished the MV-induced oxidation of the cytosolic glutathione buffer compared with WT plants. GSTU7 acted as a glutathione peroxidase able to complement the lack of peroxidase-type GSTs in yeast. Together, these findings show that GSTU7 is crucial in the antioxidative response by limiting oxidative damage and thus contributes to oxidative stress resistance in the cell.

ScGST3 and multiple R2R3-MYB transcription factors function in anthocyanin accumulation in Senecio cruentus

Anthocyanins are important flavonoid pigments involved in the colouring of flowers and fruits. They are synthesized on the cytoplasmic surface of the endoplasmic reticulum and transported into the vacuole for storage. Previous reports have suggested that glutathione S-transferase (GST) is involved in anthocyanin transport. However, due to the limitation of plant materials, most GSTs only participate in the cyanidin or delphinidin transport pathway. Here, an anthocyanin-related GST, ScGST3, was identified from the transcriptome of cineraria. The expression pattern of ScGST3 was highly consistent with anthocyanin accumulation in ray florets. Molecular complementation of Arabidopsis tt19 indicated that the overexpression of ScGST3 restores the anthocyanin-deficient phenotype of the mutant. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of ScGST3 in carmine and blue cineraria leaves could inhibit anthocyanin accumulation, further confirming the function of ScGST3 in anthocyanin accumulation. In vitro assays showed that ScGST3 increases the water solubility of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) and delphinidin-3-O-glucosid (D3G). In addition, we also identified two anthocyanin-related MYB transcription factors, ScMYB3 and ScMYB6. The expression pattern of these two genes was also highly consistent with anthocyanin accumulation. Faded abaxial leaf phenotypes were observed after the silencing of ScMYB3 and ScMYB6, and the expression levels of partial structural genes were repressed. Based on the results from dual-luciferase assays and yeast one-hybrid assays, ScMYB3 can activate the promoter of ScGST3. Collectively, the transcription of ScGST3 is regulated by ScMYB3, which plays an important role in the transport of C3G and D3G in cineraria.

Glutathione S-transferase: a versatile protein family

Glutathione-S transferase (GST) is a most ancient protein superfamily of multipurpose roles and evolved principally from gene duplication of an ancestral GSH binding protein. They have implemented in diverse plant functions such as detoxification of xenobiotic, secondary metabolism, growth and development, and majorly against biotic and abiotic stresses. The vital structural features of GSTs like highly divergent functional topographies, conserved integrated architecture with separate binding pockets for substrates and ligand, the stringent structural fidelity with high Tm values (50º-60º), and stress-responsive cis-regulatory elements in the promoter region offer this protein as most flexible plant protein for plant breeding approaches, biotechnological applications, etc. This review article summarizes the recent information of GST evolution, and their distribution and structural features with emphasis on the assorted roles of Ser and Cys GSTs with the signature motifs in their active sites, alongside their recent biotechnological application in the area of agriculture, environment, and nanotechnology have been highlighted.

Is there a role for tau glutathione transferases in tetrapyrrole metabolism and retrograde signalling in plants?

In plants, tetrapyrrole biosynthesis occurs in chloroplasts, the reactions being catalysed by stromal and membrane-bound enzymes. The tetrapyrrole moiety is a backbone for chlorophylls and cofactors such as sirohaems, haems and phytochromobilins. Owing to this diversity, the potential cytotoxicity of some precursors and the associated synthesis costs, a tight control exists to adjust the demand and the fluxes for each molecule. After synthesis, haems and phytochromobilins are incorporated into proteins found in other subcellular compartments. However, there is only very limited information about the chaperones and membrane transporters involved in the trafficking of these molecules. After summarizing evidence indicating that glutathione transferases (GST) may be part of the transport and/or degradation processes of porphyrin derivatives, we provide experimental data indicating that tau glutathione transferases (GSTU) bind protoporphyrin IX and haem moieties and use structural modelling to identify possible residues responsible for their binding in the active site hydrophobic pocket. Finally, we discuss the possible roles associated with the binding, catalytic transformation (i.e. glutathione conjugation) and/or transport of tetrapyrroles by GSTUs, considering their subcellular localization and capacity to interact with ABC transporters. This article is part of the theme issue 'Retrograde signalling from endosymbiotic organelles'.

GSTU43 gene involved in ALA-regulated redox homeostasis, to maintain coordinated chlorophyll synthesis of tomato at low temperature

BACKGROUND

Exogenous 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) positively regulates plants chlorophyll synthesis and protects them against environmental stresses, although the protection mechanism is not fully clear. Here, we explored the effects of ALA on chlorophyll synthesis in tomato plants, which are sensitive to low temperature. We also examined the roles of the glutathione S-transferase (GSTU43) gene, which is involved in ALA-induced tolerance to oxidation stress and regulation of chlorophyll synthesis under low temperature.

RESULTS

Exogenous ALA alleviated low temperature caused chlorophyll synthesis obstacle of uroporphyrinogen III (UROIII) conversion to protoporphyrin IX (Proto IX), and enhanced the production of chlorophyll and its precursors, including endogenous ALA, Proto IX, Mg-protoporphyrin IX (Mg-proto IX), and protochlorophyll (Pchl), under low temperature in tomato leaves. However, ALA did not regulate chlorophyll synthesis at the level of transcription. Notably, ALA up-regulated the GSTU43 gene and protein expression and increased GST activity. Silencing of GSTU43 with virus-induced gene silencing reduced the activities of GST, superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase, and increased the membrane lipid peroxidation; while fed with ALA significant increased all these antioxidase activities and antioxidant contents, and alleviated the membrane damage.

CONCLUSIONS

ALA triggered GST activity encoded by GSTU43, and increased tomato tolerance to low temperature-induced oxidative stress, perhaps with the assistance of ascorbate- and/or a glutathione-regenerating cycles, and actively regulated the plant redox homeostasis. This latter effect reduced the degree of membrane lipid peroxidation, which was essential for the coordinated synthesis of chlorophyll.

Genome wide identification and comparative analysis of glutathione transferases (GST) family genes in Brassica napus

Glutathione transferases (GSTs) are multifunctional enzymes that play important roles in plant development and responses to biotic and abiotic stress. However, a systematic analysis of GST family members in Brassica napus has not yet been reported. In this study, we identified 179 full-length GST genes in B. napus, 44.2% of which are clustered on various chromosomes. In addition, we identified 141 duplicated GST gene pairs in B. napus. Molecular evolutionary analysis showed that speciation and whole-genome triplication played important roles in the divergence of the B. napus GST duplicated genes. Transcriptome analysis of 21 tissues at different developmental stages showed that 47.6% of duplicated GST gene pairs have divergent expression patterns, perhaps due to structural divergence. We constructed a GST gene coexpression network with genes encoding various transcription factors (NAC, MYB, WRKY and bZIP) and identified six modules, including genes expressed during late seed development (after 40 days; BnGSTU19, BnGSTU20 and BnGSTZ1) and in the seed coat (BnGSTF6 and BnGSTF12), stamen and anther (BnGSTF8), root and stem (BnGSTU21), leaves and funiculus, as well as during the late stage of pericarp development (after 40 days; BnGSTU12 and BnGSTF2) and in the radicle during seed germination (BnGSTF14, BnGSTU1, BnGSTU28, and BnGSTZ1). These findings lay the foundation for elucidating the roles of GSTs in B. napus.

Tolerance of Transplastomic Tobacco Plants Overexpressing a Theta Class Glutathione Transferase to Abiotic and Oxidative Stresses

Chloroplasts are organelles subjected to extreme oxidative stress conditions. Biomolecules produced in the chloroplasts act as signals guiding plant metabolism toward stress tolerance and play a major role in regulating gene expression in the nucleus. Herein, we used transplastomic plants as an alternative approach to expression of transgenes in the nucleus for conferring stress tolerance to abiotic stresses and herbicides. To investigate the morphophysiological and molecular mechanisms and the role of plastid expressed GSTs in tobacco stress detoxification and stress tolerance, we used transplastomic tobacco lines overexpressing a theta class glutathione transferase (GST) in chloroplasts. The transplastomic plants were tested under drought (0, 100, and 200 mM mannitol) and salinity (0, 150, and 300 mM NaCl) in vitro, and under herbicide stress (Diquat). Our results suggest that pt ^AtGSTT lines were tolerant to herbicide-induced oxidative and salinity stresses and showed enhanced response tolerance to mannitol-induced osmotic stress compared to WT plants. Overexpression of the Arabidopsis thaliana AtGSTT in the chloroplasts resulted in enhanced photo-tolerance and turgor maintenance under stress. Whole-genome transcriptome analysis revealed that genes related to stress tolerance, were upregulated in pt ^AtGSTT2a line under both control and high mannitol stress conditions. Transplastomic plants overexpressing the pt ^AtGSTT2a in the chloroplast showed a state of acclimation to stress, as only limited number of genes were upregulated in the pt ^AtGSTT2a transplastomic line compared to WT under stress conditions while at the same time genes related to stress tolerance were upregulated in pt ^AtGSTT2a plants compared to WT in stress-free conditions. In parallel, the metabolic profile indicated limited perturbations of the metabolic homeostasis in the transplastomic lines and greater accumulation of mannitol, and soluble sugars under high mannitol stress. Therefore, transplastomic lines seem to be in a state of acclimation to stress under stress-free conditions, which was maintained even under high mannitol stress. The results help to elucidate the role of GSTs in plant abiotic stress tolerance and the underlying mechanisms of the GSTs expressed in the chloroplast, toward environmental resilience of cultivated crops.

Functional, Structural and Biochemical Features of Plant Serinyl-Glutathione Transferases

Glutathione transferases (GSTs) belong to a ubiquitous multigenic family of enzymes involved in diverse biological processes including xenobiotic detoxification and secondary metabolism. A canonical GST is formed by two domains, the N-terminal one adopting a thioredoxin (TRX) fold and the C-terminal one an all-helical structure. The most recent genomic and phylogenetic analysis based on this domain organization allowed the classification of the GST family into 14 classes in terrestrial plants. These GSTs are further distinguished based on the presence of the ancestral cysteine (Cys-GSTs) present in TRX family proteins or on its substitution by a serine (Ser-GSTs). Cys-GSTs catalyze the reduction of dehydroascorbate and deglutathionylation reactions whereas Ser-GSTs catalyze glutathione conjugation reactions and eventually have peroxidase activity, both activities being important for stress tolerance or herbicide detoxification. Through non-catalytic, so-called ligandin properties, numerous plant GSTs also participate in the binding and transport of small heterocyclic ligands such as flavonoids including anthocyanins, and polyphenols. So far, this function has likely been underestimated compared to the other documented roles of GSTs. In this review, we compiled data concerning the known enzymatic and structural properties as well as the biochemical and physiological functions associated to plant GSTs having a conserved serine in their active site.

Protein-Ligand Fishing in planta for Biologically Active Natural Products Using Glutathione Transferases

Screening for natural products which bind to proteins in planta has been used to identify ligands of the plant-specific glutathione transferase (GST) tau (U) and phi (F) classes, that are present in large gene families in crops and weeds, but have largely undefined functions. When expressed as recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli these proteins have been found to tightly bind a diverse range of natural product ligands, with fatty acid-and porphyrinogen-derivatives associated with GSTUs and a range of heterocyclic compounds with GSTFs. With an interest in detecting the natural binding partners of these proteins in planta, we have expressed the two best characterized GSTs from Arabidopsis thaliana (At), AtGSTF2 and AtGSTU19, as Strep-tagged fusion proteins in planta. Following transient and stable expression in Nicotiana and Arabidopsis, respectively, the GSTs were recovered using Strep-Tactin affinity chromatography and the bound ligands desorbed and characterized by LC-MS. AtGSTF2 predominantly bound phenolic derivatives including S-glutathionylated lignanamides and methylated variants of the flavonols kaempferol and quercetin. AtGSTU19 captured glutathionylated conjugates of oxylipins, indoles, and lignanamides. Whereas the flavonols and oxylipins appeared to be authentic in vivo ligands, the glutathione conjugates of the lignanamides and indoles were artifacts formed during extraction. When tested for their binding characteristics, the previously undescribed indole conjugates were found to be particularly potent inhibitors of AtGSTU19. Such ligand fishing has the potential to both give new insight into protein function in planta as well as identifying novel classes of natural product inhibitors of enzymes of biotechnological interest such as GSTs.

Plant glutathione transferase-mediated stress tolerance: functions and biotechnological applications

Plant glutathione transferases (EC 2.5.1.18, GSTs) are an ancient, multimember and diverse enzyme class. Plant GSTs have diverse roles in plant development, endogenous metabolism, stress tolerance, and xenobiotic detoxification. Their study embodies both fundamental aspects and agricultural interest, because of their ability to confer tolerance against biotic and abiotic stresses and to detoxify herbicides. Here we review the biotechnological applications of GSTs towards developing plants that are resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses. We integrate recent discoveries, highlight, and critically discuss the underlying biochemical and molecular pathways involved. We elaborate that the functions of GSTs in abiotic and biotic stress adaptation are potentially a result of both catalytic and non-catalytic functions. These include conjugation of reactive electrophile species with glutathione and the modulation of cellular redox status, biosynthesis, binding, and transport of secondary metabolites and hormones. Their major universal functions under stress underline the potential in developing climate-resilient cultivars through a combination of molecular and conventional breeding programs. We propose that future GST engineering efforts through rational and combinatorial approaches, would lead to the design of improved isoenzymes with purpose-designed catalytic activities and novel functional properties. Concurrent GST-GSH metabolic engineering can incrementally increase the effectiveness of GST biotechnological deployment.

Characterization of glutathione transferases involved in the pathogenicity of Alternaria brassicicola

BACKGROUND

Glutathione transferases (GSTs) represent an extended family of multifunctional proteins involved in detoxification processes and tolerance to oxidative stress. We thus anticipated that some GSTs could play an essential role in the protection of fungal necrotrophs against plant-derived toxic metabolites and reactive oxygen species that accumulate at the host-pathogen interface during infection.

RESULTS

Mining the genome of the necrotrophic Brassica pathogen Alternaria brassicicola for glutathione transferase revealed 23 sequences, 17 of which could be clustered into the main classes previously defined for fungal GSTs and six were 'orphans'. Five isothiocyanate-inducible GSTs from five different classes were more thoroughly investigated. Analysis of their catalytic properties revealed that two GSTs, belonging to the GSTFuA and GTT1 classes, exhibited GSH transferase activity with isothiocyanates (ITC) and peroxidase activity with cumene hydroperoxide, respectively. Mutant deficient for these two GSTs were however neither more susceptible to ITC nor less aggressive than the wild-type parental strain. By contrast mutants deficient for two other GSTs, belonging to the Ure2pB and GSTO classes, were distinguished by their hyper-susceptibility to ITC and low aggressiveness against Brassica oleracea. In particular AbGSTO1 could participate in cell tolerance to ITC due to its glutathione-dependent thioltransferase activity. The fifth ITC-inducible GST belonged to the MAPEG class and although it was not possible to produce the soluble active form of this protein in a bacterial expression system, the corresponding deficient mutant failed to develop normal symptoms on host plant tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

Among the five ITC-inducible GSTs analyzed in this study, three were found essential for full aggressiveness of A. brassicicola on host plant. This, to our knowledge is the first evidence that GSTs might be essential virulence factors for fungal necrotrophs.

Physiological performance and differential expression profiling of genes associated with drought tolerance in contrasting varieties of two Gossypium species

Cotton is mostly cultivated under rain-fed conditions in India, thus faces frequent drought conditions during its life cycle. Drought being a major stress factor responsible for yield penalty, there has always been a high priority to generate knowledge on adaptation and tolerance of cotton. In the present study, four cotton varieties, JKC-770 and KC-2 (Gossypium hirsutum), and JKC-717 and RAHS-187(Gossypium herbaceum), were imposed to drought. Under drought condition, differential changes in physiological characters like net photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll fluorescence, relative water content (RWC), and predawn water potential (ψ 0) showed a change. While proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) content increased along with a concomitant change in the expression of their associated genes. Under moderate stress, tolerant varieties maintain lower ψ 0 probably due to higher proline content as compared to sensitive varieties. Cyclic electron flow (CEF) also plays an important role in tolerance under mild water stress in G. hirsutum varieties. CEF not only activates at high light but also initiates at a very low light intensity. Expression analysis of genes reveals that drought-tolerant varieties showed enhanced detoxifying mechanism by up-regulation of asparagine synthase (AS), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and methyl glyoxalase (GlyI) genes under drought stress. Up-regulation of Δ(1)-pyrroline-5-carboxylase synthase (Δ(1)P5CS) enhanced accumulation of proline, an osmolyte, under drought in tolerant varieties. While the drought-sensitive varieties showed up-regulation of ethylene responsive factor (ERF) and down-regulation of WRKY70 responsible for senescence of the leaf which correlated well with the high rate of leaf fall in sensitive varieties under water stress.

Plant GSTome: structure and functional role in xenome network and plant stress response

Glutathione transferases (GSTs) represent a major group of detoxification enzymes. All plants possess multiple cytosolic GSTs, each of which displays distinct catalytic as well as non-catalytic binding properties. The progress made in recent years in the fields of genomics, proteomics and protein crystallography of GSTs, coupled with studies on their molecular evolution, diversity and substrate specificity has provided new insights into the function of these enzymes. In plants, GSTs appear to be implicated in an array of different functions, including detoxification of xenobiotics and endobiotics, primary and secondary metabolism, stress tolerance, and cell signalling. This review focuses on plant GSTome and attempts to give an overview of its catalytic and functional role in xenome and plant stress regulatory networks.

Structural and enzymatic insights into Lambda glutathione transferases from Populus trichocarpa, monomeric enzymes constituting an early divergent class specific to terrestrial plants

GSTs represent a superfamily of multifunctional proteins which play crucial roles in detoxification processes and secondary metabolism. Instead of promoting the conjugation of glutathione to acceptor molecules as do most GSTs, members of the Lambda class (GSTLs) catalyse deglutathionylation reactions via a catalytic cysteine residue. Three GSTL genes (Pt-GSTL1, Pt-GSTL2 and Pt-GSTL3) are present in Populus trichocarpa, but two transcripts, differing in their 5' extremities, were identified for Pt-GSTL3. Transcripts for these genes were primarily found in flowers, fruits, petioles and buds, but not in leaves and roots, suggesting roles associated with secondary metabolism in these organs. The expression of GFP-fusion proteins in tobacco showed that Pt-GSTL1 is localized in plastids, whereas Pt-GSTL2 and Pt-GSTL3A and Pt-GSTL3B are found in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus. The resolution of Pt-GSTL1 and Pt-GSTL3 structures by X-ray crystallography indicated that, although these proteins adopt a canonical GST fold quite similar to that found in dimeric Omega GSTs, their non-plant counterparts, they are strictly monomeric. This might explain some differences in the enzymatic properties of both enzyme types. Finally, from competition experiments between aromatic substrates and a fluorescent probe, we determined that the recognition of glutathionylated substrates is favoured over non-glutathionylated forms.

The still mysterious roles of cysteine-containing glutathione transferases in plants

Glutathione transferases (GSTs) represent a widespread multigenic enzyme family able to modify a broad range of molecules. These notably include secondary metabolites and exogenous substrates often referred to as xenobiotics, usually for their detoxification, subsequent transport or export. To achieve this, these enzymes can bind non-substrate ligands (ligandin function) and/or catalyze the conjugation of glutathione onto the targeted molecules, the latter activity being exhibited by GSTs having a serine or a tyrosine as catalytic residues. Besides, other GST members possess a catalytic cysteine residue, a substitution that radically changes enzyme properties. Instead of promoting GSH-conjugation reactions, cysteine-containing GSTs (Cys-GSTs) are able to perform deglutathionylation reactions similarly to glutaredoxins but the targets are usually different since glutaredoxin substrates are mostly oxidized proteins and Cys-GST substrates are metabolites. The Cys-GSTs are found in most organisms and form several classes. While Beta and Omega GSTs and chloride intracellular channel proteins (CLICs) are not found in plants, these organisms possess microsomal ProstaGlandin E-Synthase type 2, glutathionyl hydroquinone reductases, Lambda, Iota and Hemerythrin GSTs and dehydroascorbate reductases (DHARs); the four last classes being restricted to the green lineage. In plants, whereas the role of DHARs is clearly associated to the reduction of dehydroascorbate to ascorbate, the physiological roles of other Cys-GSTs remain largely unknown. In this context, a genomic and phylogenetic analysis of Cys-GSTs in photosynthetic organisms provides an updated classification that is discussed in the light of the recent literature about the functional and structural properties of Cys-GSTs. Considering the antioxidant potencies of phenolic compounds and more generally of secondary metabolites, the connection of GSTs with secondary metabolism may be interesting from a pharmacological perspective.

Separation and fragmentation study of isocoproporphyrin derivatives by UHPLC-ESI-exact mass MS/MS and identification of a new isocoproporphyrin sulfonic acid metabolite

Isocoproporphyrin and its derivatives are commonly used as biomarkers of porphyria cutanea tarda, heavy metal toxicity and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) intoxication in humans and animals. However, most are isobaric with other porphyrins and reference materials are unavailable commercially. The structural characterisation of these porphyrins is important but very little data is available. We report here the separation and characterisation of isocoproporphyrin, deethylisocoproporphyrin, hydroxyisocoproporphyrin and ketoisocoproporphyrin, isolated in the faeces of rats fed with a diet containing HCB, by ultra high performance liquid chromatography-exact mass tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Furthermore, we report the identification and characterisation of a previously unreported porphyrin metabolite, isocoproporphyrin sulfonic acid isolated in the rat faeces. The measured mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of the precursor ion was m/z 735.2338, corresponding to a molecular formula of C36H39N4O11S with an error of 0.3 ppm from the calculated m/z 735.2336. The MS/MS data was consistent with an isocoproporphyrin sulfonic acid structure, derived from dehydroisocoproporphyrinogen by sulfonation of the vinyl group. The metabolite was present in a greater abundance than other isocoproporphyrin derivatives and may be a more useful biomarker for HCB intoxication.

Characterization of a Phanerochaete chrysosporium glutathione transferase reveals a novel structural and functional class with ligandin properties

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) form a superfamily of multifunctional proteins with essential roles in cellular detoxification processes. A new fungal specific class of GST has been highlighted by genomic approaches. The biochemical and structural characterization of one isoform of this class in Phanerochaete chrysosporium revealed original properties. The three-dimensional structure showed a new dimerization mode and specific features by comparison with the canonical GST structure. An additional β-hairpin motif in the N-terminal domain prevents the formation of the regular GST dimer and acts as a lid, which closes upon glutathione binding. Moreover, this isoform is the first described GST that contains all secondary structural elements, including helix α4' in the C-terminal domain, of the presumed common ancestor of cytosolic GSTs (i.e. glutaredoxin 2). A sulfate binding site has been identified close to the glutathione binding site and allows the binding of 8-anilino-1-naphtalene sulfonic acid. Competition experiments between 8-anilino-1-naphtalene sulfonic acid, which has fluorescent properties, and various molecules showed that this GST binds glutathionylated and sulfated compounds but also wood extractive molecules, such as vanillin, chloronitrobenzoic acid, hydroxyacetophenone, catechins, and aldehydes, in the glutathione pocket. This enzyme could thus function as a classical GST through the addition of glutathione mainly to phenethyl isothiocyanate, but alternatively and in a competitive way, it could also act as a ligandin of wood extractive compounds. These new structural and functional properties lead us to propose that this GST belongs to a new class that we name GSTFuA, for fungal specific GST class A.

The Arabidopsis phi class glutathione transferase AtGSTF2: binding and regulation by biologically active heterocyclic ligands

The plant-specific phi class of glutathione transferases (GSTFs) are often highly stress-inducible and expressed in a tissue-specific manner, suggestive of them having important protective roles. To date, these functions remain largely unknown, although activities associated with the binding and transport of reactive metabolites have been proposed. Using a sensitive and selective binding screen, we have probed the Arabidopsis thaliana GSTFs for natural product ligands from bacteria and plants. Uniquely, when overexpressed in bacteria, family members GSTF2 and GSTF3 bound a series of heterocyclic compounds, including lumichrome, harmane, norharmane and indole-3-aldehyde. When screened against total metabolite extracts from A. thaliana, GSTF2 also selectively bound the indole-derived phytoalexin camalexin, as well as the flavonol quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside. In each case, isothermal titration calorimetry revealed high-affinity binding (typically Kd<1 μM), which was enhanced in the presence of glutathione and by the other heterocyclic ligands. With GSTF2, these secondary ligand associations resulted in an allosteric enhancement in glutathione-conjugating activity. Together with the known stress responsiveness of GSTF2 and its association with membrane vesicles, these results are suggestive of roles in regulating the binding and transport of defence-related compounds in planta.

Expression of SbGSTU (tau class glutathione S-transferase) gene isolated from Salicornia brachiata in tobacco for salt tolerance

Tau class glutathione transferases (GSTU) genes are plant specific, induced by different abiotic stress, and important for protecting plants against oxidative damage. GST gene was isolated using 5' RACE from an extreme halophyte Salicornia brachiata, cloned, sequenced and its protein structure was predicted. Transcript profiling of SbGST gene expression was studied under different abiotic stress conditions and plant growth regulator treatments, viz. salt, cold, drought, ABA and salicylic acid, with time period point and concentration point. The expression of SbGST gene was up-regulated in all stress conditions, except SA treatment. Seed germination percentage, GST enzyme assay, fresh weight and other growth parameters (root length, shoot length and leaf area) were studied and results indicate that over-expression of SbGST gene in transgenic tobacco leads to enhanced seed germination and growth under salt stress. Transgenic lines were evaluated for their performance under salt stress and tobacco plants over-expressing SbGST showed higher seed germination and survival compared to wild type. These results confirm that expression of SbGST gene is up-regulated by different stresses and over-expression of tau class SbGST gene in transgenic tobacco plays a vital role in abiotic stress tolerance. SbGST gene expressed conspicuously under salt stress leading to enhance seed germination and better growth. Furthermore, GST is a potential candidate gene to be used in genetic engineering for enhancing abiotic stress tolerance.

Cold sensitivity in rice (Oryza sativa L.) is strongly correlated with a naturally occurring I99V mutation in the multifunctional glutathione transferase isoenzyme GSTZ2

GSTZs [Zeta class GSTs (glutathione transferases)] are multifunctional enzymes that belong to a highly conserved subfamily of soluble GSTs found in species ranging from fungi and plants to animals. GSTZs are known to function as MAAIs [MAA (maleylacetoacetate) isomerases], which play a role in tyrosine catabolism by catalysing the isomerization of MAA to FAA (fumarylacetoacetate). As tyrosine metabolism in plants differs from animals, the significance of GSTZ/MAAI is unclear. In rice (Oryza sativa L.), a major QTL (quantitative trait locus) for seedling cold tolerance has been fine mapped to a region containing the genes OsGSTZ1 and OsGSTZ2. Sequencing of tolerant (ssp. japonica cv. M-202) and sensitive (ssp. indica cv. IR50) cultivars revealed two SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) in OsGSTZ2 that result in amino acid differences (I99V and N184I). Recombinant OsGSTZ2 containing the Val99 residue found in IR50 had significantly reduced activity on MAA and DCA (dichloroacetic acid), but the Ile184 residue had no effect. The distribution of the SNP (c.295A>G) among various rice accessions indicates a significant association with chilling sensitivity in rice seedlings. The results of the present study show that naturally occurring OsGSTZ2 isoforms differ in their enzymatic properties, which may contribute to the differential response to chilling stress generally exhibited by the two major rice subspecies.

Overlapping protective roles for glutathione transferase gene family members in chemical and oxidative stress response in Agrobacterium tumefaciens

In the present work, we describe the characterisation of the glutathione transferase (GST) gene family from Agrobacterium tumefaciens C58. A genome survey revealed the presence of eight GST-like proteins in A. tumefaciens (AtuGSTs). Comparison by multiple sequence alignment generated a dendrogram revealing the phylogenetic relationships of AtuGSTs-like proteins. The beta and theta classes identified in other bacterial species are represented by five members in A. tumefaciens C58. In addition, there are three "orphan" sequences that do not fit into any previously recognised GST classes. The eight GST-like genes were cloned, expressed in Escherichia coli and their substrate specificity was determined towards 17 different substrates. The results showed that AtuGSTs catalyse a broad range of reactions, with different members of the family exhibiting quite varied substrate specificity. The 3D structures of AtuGSTs were predicted using molecular modelling. The use of comparative sequence and structural analysis of the AtuGST isoenzymes allowed us to identify local sequence and structural characteristics between different GST isoenzymes and classes. Gene expression profiling was conducted under normal culture conditions as well as under abiotic stress conditions (addition of xenobiotics, osmotic stress and cold and heat shock) to induce and monitor early stress-response mechanisms. The results reveal the constitutive expression of GSTs in A. tumefaciens and a modulation of GST activity after treatments, indicating that AtuGSTs presumably participate in a wide range of functions, many of which are important in counteracting stress conditions. These functions may be relevant to maintaining cellular homeostasis as well as in the direct detoxification of toxic compounds.

Multiple roles for plant glutathione transferases in xenobiotic detoxification

Discovered 40 years ago, plant glutathione transferases (GSTs) now have a well-established role in determining herbicide metabolism and selectivity in crops and weeds. Within the GST superfamily, the numerous and plant-specific phi (F) and tau (U) classes are largely responsible for catalyzing glutathione-dependent reactions with xenobiotics, notably conjugation leading to detoxification and, more rarely, bioactivating isomerizations. In total, the crystal structures of 10 plant GSTs have been solved and a highly conserved N-terminal glutathione binding domain and structurally diverse C-terminal hydrophobic domain identified, along with key coordinating residues. Unlike drug-detoxifying mammalian GSTs, plant enzymes utlilize a catalytic serine in place of a tyrosine residue. Both GSTFs and GSTUs undergo changes in structure during catalysis indicative of an induced fit mechanism on substrate binding, with an understanding of plant GST structure/function allowing these proteins to be engineered for novel functions in detoxification and ligand recognition. Several major crops produce alternative thiols, with GSTUs shown to use homoglutathione in preference to glutathione, in herbicide detoxification reactions in soybeans. Similarly, hydroxymethylglutathione is used, in addition to glutathione in detoxifying the herbicide fenoxaprop in wheat. Following GST action, plants are able to rapidly process glutathione conjugates by at least two distinct pathways, with the available evidence suggesting these function in an organ- and species-specific manner. Roles for GSTs in endogenous metabolism are less well defined, with the enzymes linked to a diverse range of functions, including signaling, counteracting oxidative stress, and detoxifying and transporting secondary metabolites.

The Arabidopsis multistress regulator TSPO is a heme binding membrane protein and a potential scavenger of porphyrins via an autophagy-dependent degradation mechanism

TSPO, a stress-induced, posttranslationally regulated, early secretory pathway-localized plant cell membrane protein, belongs to the TspO/MBR family of regulatory proteins, which can bind porphyrins. This work finds that boosting tetrapyrrole biosynthesis enhanced TSPO degradation in Arabidopsis thaliana and that TSPO could bind heme in vitro and in vivo. This binding required the His residue at position 91 (H91), but not that at position 115 (H115). The H91A and double H91A/H115A substitutions stabilized TSPO and rendered the protein insensitive to heme-regulated degradation, suggesting that heme binding regulates At-TSPO degradation. TSPO degradation was inhibited in the autophagy-defective atg5 mutant and was sensitive to inhibitors of type III phosphoinositide 3-kinases, which regulate autophagy in eukaryotic cells. Mutation of the two Tyr residues in a putative ubiquitin-like ATG8 interacting motif of At-TSPO did not affect heme binding in vitro but stabilized the protein in vivo, suggesting that downregulation of At-TSPO requires an active autophagy pathway, in addition to heme. Abscisic acid-dependent TSPO induction was accompanied by an increase in unbound heme levels, and downregulation of TSPO coincided with the return to steady state levels of unbound heme, suggesting that a physiological consequence of active TSPO downregulation may be heme scavenging. In addition, overexpression of TSPO attenuated aminolevulinic acid-induced porphyria in plant cells. Taken together, these data support a role for TSPO in porphyrin binding and scavenging during stress in plants.

A reciprocal 15N-labeling proteomic analysis of expanding Arabidopsis leaves subjected to osmotic stress indicates importance of mitochondria in preserving plastid functions

Plants respond to environmental stress by dynamically reprogramming their growth. Whereas stress onset is accompanied by rapid growth inhibition leading to smaller organs, growth will recover and adapt once the stress conditions become stable and do no threaten plant survival. Here, adaptation of growing Arabidopsis thaliana leaves to mild and prolonged osmotic stress was investigated by means of a complete metabolic labeling strategy with the (15)N-stable isotope as a complement to a previously published transcript and metabolite profiling. Global analysis of protein changes revealed that plastidial ATPase, Calvin cycle, and photorespiration were down-regulated, but mitochondrial ATP synthesis was up-regulated, indicating the importance of mitochondria in preserving plastid functions during water stress. Although transcript and protein data correlated well with the stable and prolonged character of the applied stress, numerous proteins were clearly regulated at the post-transcriptional level that could, at least partly, be related to changes in protein synthesis and degradation. In conclusion, proteomics using the (15)N labeling helped understand the mechanisms underlying growth adaptation to osmotic stress and allowed the identification of candidate genes to improve plant growth under limited water.

Roles for stress-inducible lambda glutathione transferases in flavonoid metabolism in plants as identified by ligand fishing

The glutathione transferases (GSTs) of plants are a superfamily of abundant enzymes whose roles in endogenous metabolism are largely unknown. For example, the lambda class of GSTs (GSTLs) have members that are selectively induced by chemical stress treatments and based on their enzyme chemistry are predicted to have roles in redox homeostasis. However, using conventional approaches these functions have yet to be determined. To address this, recombinant GSTLs from wheat and Arabidopsis were tagged with a Strep tag and after affinity-immobilization, incubated with extracts from Arabidopsis, tobacco, and wheat. Bound ligands were then recovered by solvent extraction and identified by mass spectrometry (MS). With the wheat enzyme TaGSTL1, the ligand profiles obtained with in vitro extracts from tobacco closely matched those observed after the protein had been expressed in planta, demonstrating that these associations were physiologically representative. The stress-inducible TaGSTL1 was found to selectively recognize flavonols (e.g. taxifolin; K(d) = 25 nM), with this binding being dependent upon S-glutathionylation of an active site cysteine. In the case of the wheat extracts, this selectivity in ligand recognitions lead to the detection of flavonols that had not been previously described in this cereal. Subsequent in vitro assays showed that the co-binding of flavonols, such as quercetin, to the thiolated TaGSTL1 represented an intermediate step in the reduction of the respective S-glutathionylated quinone derivatives to yield free flavonols. These results suggest a novel role for GSTLs in maintaining the flavonoid pool under stress conditions.

Over-expression of a glutathione S-transferase gene, GsGST, from wild soybean (Glycine soja) enhances drought and salt tolerance in transgenic tobacco

Glycine soja is a species of soybean that survives in adverse environments including high salt and drought conditions. We constructed a cDNA library from G. soja seedlings treated with NaCl and isolated a glutathione S-transferase gene (GsGST: GQ265911) from the library. The cDNA encoding GsGST contains an open reading frame of 660 bp and the predicted protein belongs to the tau class of GST family proteins. Tobacco plants over-expressing the GsGST gene showed sixfold higher GST activity than wild-type plants. Transgenic tobacco plants exhibited enhanced dehydration tolerance. T(2) transgenic tobacco plants showed higher tolerance at the seedling stage than wild-type plants to salt and mannitol as demonstrated by longer root length and less growth retardation.

Cytosolic action of phytochelatin synthase

Glutathionylation of compounds is an important reaction in the detoxification of electrophilic xenobiotics and in the biosynthesis of endogenous molecules. The glutathione conjugates (GS conjugates) are further processed by peptidic cleavage reactions. In animals and plants, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidases initiate the turnover by removal of the glutamate residue from the conjugate. Plants have a second route leading to the formation of gamma-glutamylcysteinyl (gamma-GluCys) conjugates. Phytochelatin synthase (PCS) is well known to mediate the synthesis of heavy metal-binding phytochelatins. In addition, the enzyme is also able to catabolize GS conjugates to the gamma-GluCys derivative. In this study, we addressed the cellular compartmentalization of PCS and its role in the plant-specific gamma-GluCys conjugate pathway in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Localization studies of both Arabidopsis PCS revealed a ubiquitous presence of AtPCS1 in Arabidopsis seedlings, while AtPCS2 was only detected in the root tip. A functional AtPCS1:eGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein) fusion protein was localized to the cytosolic compartment. Inhibition of the vacuolar import of GS-bimane conjugate via azide treatment resulted in both a strong accumulation of gamma-GluCys-bimane and a massive increase of the cellular cysteine to GS-bimane ratio, which was not observed in PCS-deficient lines. These findings support a cytosolic action of PCS. Analysis of a triple mutant deficient in both Arabidopsis PCS and vacuolar gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase GGT4 is consistent with earlier observations of an efficient sequestration of GS conjugates into the vacuole and the requirement of GGT4 for their turnover. Hence, PCS contributes specifically to the cytosolic turnover of GS conjugates, and AtPCS1 plays the prominent role. We discuss a potential function of PCS in the cytosolic turnover of GS conjugates.

Roles for glutathione transferases in plant secondary metabolism

Plant glutathione transferases (GSTs) are classified as enzymes of secondary metabolism, but while their roles in catalysing the conjugation and detoxification of herbicides are well known, their endogenous functions are largely obscure. Thus, while the presence of GST-derived S-glutathionylated xenobiotics have been described in many plants, there is little direct evidence for the accumulation of similarly conjugated natural products, despite the presence of a complex and dichotomous metabolic pathway which processes these reaction products. The conservation in glutathione conjugating and processing pathways, the co-regulation of GSTs with inducible plant secondary metabolism and biochemical studies showing the potential of these enzymes to conjugate reactive natural products are all suggestive of important endogenous functions. As a framework for addressing these enigmatic functions we postulate that either: (a) the natural reaction products of GSTs are unstable and undergo reversible S-glutathionylation; (b) the conjugation products of GSTs are very rapidly processed to derived metabolites; (c) GSTs do not catalyse conventional conjugation reactions but instead use glutathione as a cofactor rather than co-substrate; or (d) GSTs are non-catalytic and function as transporter proteins for secondary metabolites and their unstable intermediates. In this review, we describe how enzyme biochemistry and informatics are providing clues as to GST function allowing for the critical evaluation of each of these hypotheses. We also present evidence for the involvement of GSTs in the synthesis of sulfur-containing secondary metabolites such as volatiles and glucosinolates, and the conjugation, transport and storage of reactive oxylipins, phenolics and flavonoids.

Different roles of functional residues in the hydrophobic binding site of two sweet orange tau glutathione S-transferases

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) catalyze the conjugation of glutathione to hydrophobic compounds, contributing to the metabolism of toxic chemicals. In this study, we show that two naturally occurring tau GSTs (GSTUs) exhibit distinctive kinetic parameters towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), although they differ only in three amino acids (Arg89, Glu117 and Ile172 in GSTU1 are replaced by Pro89, Lys117 and Val172 in GSTU2). In order to understand the effects of the single mismatched residues, several mutant GSTs were generated through site-directed mutagenesis. The analysis of the kinetic parameters of the mutants led to the conclusion that Glu117 provides a critical contribution to the maintenance of a high-affinity CDNB-binding site. However, the substitution E117K gives rise to mutants showing increased k(cat) values for CDNB, suggesting that Lys117 might positively influence the formation of the transition state during catalysis. No changes in the K(m) values towards glutathione were found between the naturally occurring GSTs and mutants, except for the mutant caused by the substitution R89P in GSTU1, which showed a sharp increase in K(m). Moreover, the analysis of enzyme reactivation after denaturation showed that this R89P substitution leads to a two-fold enhancement of the refolded enzyme yield, suggesting that the insertion of proline might induce critical structural modifications. In contrast, the substitution P89R in GSTU2 does not modify the reactivation yield and does not impair the affinity of the mutant for glutathione, suggesting that all three residues investigated in this work are fundamental in the creation of enzymes characterized by unique biochemical properties.

Selective binding of glutathione conjugates of fatty acid derivatives by plant glutathione transferases

Proteomic studies with Arabidopsis thaliana have revealed that the plant-specific Tau (U) class glutathione transferases (GSTs) are selectively retained by S-hexylglutathione affinity supports. Overexpression of members of the Arabidopsis GST superfamily in Escherichia coli showed that 25 of the complement of 28 GSTUs caused the aberrant accumulation of acylated glutathione thioesters in vivo, a perturbation that was not observed with other GST classes. Each GSTU caused a specific group of fatty acyl derivatives to accumulate, which varied in chain length (C(6) to C(18)), additional oxygen content (0 or 1), and desaturation (0 or 1). Thioesters bound tightly to recombinant GSTs (K(d) approximately 1 microm), explaining their accumulation. Transient expression of GSTUs in Nicotiana benthamiana followed by recovery by Strep-tag affinity chromatography allowed the respective plant ligands to be extracted and characterized. Again, each GST showed a distinct profile of recovered metabolites, notably glutathionylated oxophytodienoic acid and related oxygenated fatty acids. Similarly, the expression of the major Tau protein GSTU19 in the endogenous host Arabidopsis led to the selective binding of the glutathionylated oxophytodienoic acid-glutathione conjugate, with the enzyme able to catalyze the conjugation reaction. Additional ligands identified in planta included other fatty acid derivatives including divinyl ethers and glutathionylated chlorogenic acid. The strong and specific retention of various oxygenated fatty acids by each GSTU and the conservation in binding observed in the different hosts suggest that these proteins have selective roles in binding and conjugating these unstable metabolites in vivo.

Enzyme activities and subcellular localization of members of the Arabidopsis glutathione transferase superfamily

Enzyme screens with Strep-tagged recombinant proteins and expression studies with the respective green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusions have been employed to examine the functional activities and subcellular localization of members of the Arabidopsis glutathione transferase (GST) superfamily. Fifty-one of 54 GST family members were transcribed and 41 found to express as functional glutathione-dependent enzymes in Escherichia coli. Functional redundancy was observed and in particular three theta (T) class GSTs showed conserved activities as hydroperoxide-reducing glutathione peroxidases (GPOXs). When expressed in tobacco as GFP fusions, all three GSTTs localized to the peroxisome, where their GPOX activity could prevent membrane damage arising from fatty acid oxidation. Through alternative splicing, two of these GSTTs form fusions with Myb transcription factor-like domains. Examination of one of these variants showed discrete localization within the nucleus, possibly serving a role in reducing nucleic acid hydroperoxides or in signalling. Based on this unexpected differential sub-cellular localization, 15 other GST family members were expressed as GFP fusions in tobacco. Most accumulated in the cytosol, but GSTU12 localized to the nucleus, a family member resembling a bacterial tetrachlorohydroquinone dehalogenase selectively associated with the plasma membrane, and a lambda GSTL2 was partially directed to the peroxisome after removal of a putative chloroplast transit peptide. Based on the results obtained with the GSTTs, it was concluded that these proteins can exert identical protective functions in differing subcellular compartments.

Crystallographic and functional characterization of the fluorodifen-inducible glutathione transferase from Glycine max reveals an active site topography suited for diphenylether herbicides and a novel L-site

Glutathione transferases (GSTs) from the tau class (GSTU) are unique to plants and have important roles in stress tolerance and the detoxification of herbicides in crops and weeds. A fluorodifen-induced GST isoezyme (GmGSTU4-4) belonging to the tau class was purified from Glycine max by affinity chromatography. This isoenzyme was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli, and its structural and catalytic properties were investigated. The structure of GmGSTU4-4 was determined at 1.75 A resolution in complex with S-(p-nitrobenzyl)-glutathione (Nb-GSH). The enzyme adopts the canonical GST fold but with a number of functionally important differences. Compared with other plant GSTs, the three-dimensional structure of GmGSTU4-4 primarily shows structural differences in the hydrophobic substrate binding site, the linker segment and the C-terminal region. The X-ray structure identifies key amino acid residues in the hydrophobic binding site (H-site) and provides insights into the substrate specificity and catalytic mechanism of the enzyme. The isoenzyme was highly active in conjugating the diphenylether herbicide fluorodifen. A possible reaction pathway involving the conjugation of glutathione with fluorodifen is described based on site-directed mutagenesis and molecular modeling studies. A serine residue (Ser13) is present in the active site, at a position that would allow it to stabilise the thiolate anion of glutathione and enhance its nucleophilicity. Tyr107 and Arg111 present in the active site are important structural moieties that modulate the catalytic efficiency and specificity of the enzyme, and participate in k(cat) regulation by affecting the rate-limiting step of the catalytic reaction. A hitherto undescribed ligand-binding site (L-site) located in a surface pocket of the enzyme was also found. This site is formed by conserved residues, suggesting it may have an important functional role in the transfer and delivery of bound ligands, presumably to specific protein receptors.