Abstract:
Interest in Drosophila GSTs (EC. 2.5.1.18) has focused on their role in the
physiological function networks because Drosophila species are fundamental models
that can be extended to other metazoans. Nine Drosophila Delta class GSTs were
obtained out of eleven (82%) found in the genome and were expressed in a Drosophila
embryonic cell line (SL2). Here, after protein purification development, kinetic
characterization were determined using the classical GST substrate, 1-chloro-2, 4-
dinitrobenzene (CDNB). The kinetic properties revealed that although all nine
recombinant Drosophila GSTs are classified into the Delta class, nonetheless they
possess unique and diverse kinetic properties. Subsequently, nine recombinant
enzymes were subjected to determine their physiological functions using six putative
physiological substrates (HNE, adrenochrome, PEITC, PGA2, 5-HpETE and
cholesterol-5α,6α-epoxide). Of the nine delta GSTs, six (67%) accepted the cytotoxic
end product of lipid peroxidation HNE as a substrate. Two enzymes possessed activity
toward neurotoxic adrenochrome which is an oxidative product of adrenaline. Eight
enzymes (89%) involved in detoxifying PEITC compound. Only one isoform showed
catalytic activity toward cytotoxic PGA2. All nine enzymes do not play significant
roles against lipid hydroperoxides and cholesterol oxidation products. This cholesterol
oxidation product was hypothesized to be a candidate physiological compound. The
data suggest that the existence and multiple forms of Drosophila Delta class GSTs in
embryonic cells are able to conjugate HNE, adrenochrome, PEITC and PGA2. GSTs
are highly conserved from insects to mammals and constitutes a crucial biological
pathway with potential for detoxification resulting in typical cell functions. Moreover,
three enzymes possessed thioltransferase activity that has never been reported before
for the Delta class. Finally, the results illustrate that each isoform possesses different
properties, both in kinetic properties and for putative physiological functions.