Selective elution of soluble rat liver glutathione transferases from a glutathione-Sepharose affinity column

Glutathione transferases (GST) are dimeric enzymes that take part in many detoxification processes. A previous report described the use of a glutathione-Sepharose affinity matrix for the purification of human liver GST. The method involved the use of 5 mM glutathione in a high pH buffer, and the yields were nearly 100%. This method and adapted techniques have now been applied to rat liver GST. Selective GST elution can be obtained in several different ways: by stepwise change of the pH and/or glutathione concentration, and by linear gradient elution. Gel electrophoresis showed, however, that none of the fractions contained pure GST isoenzymes. Also, less than 50% of the total rat liver GST was eluted with 5 mM glutathione, in contrast to the results with human liver GST. A glutathione concentration of 30 mM is necessary for quantitative desorption of rat liver GST from a glutathione-Sepharose column.     

Mammalian cytosolic glutathione transferases

Glutathione Transferases (GSTs) are crucial enzymes in the cell detoxification process catalyzing the nucleophilic attack of glutathione (GSH) on toxic electrophilic substrates and producing a less dangerous compound. GSTs studies are of great importance since they have been implicated in the development of drug resistance in tumoral cells and are related to human diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, atherosclerois, liver cirrhosis, aging and cataract formation. In this review we start by providing an evolutionary perspective of the mammalian cytosolic GSTs known to date. Later on we focus on the more abundant classes alpha, mu and pi and their structure, catalysis, metabolic associated functions, drug resistance relation and inhibition methods. Finally, we introduce the recent insights on the GST class zeta from a metabolic perspective.     

Analysis of lonidamine in rat serum and testis by high performance liquid chromatography

A HPLC method for the determination of lonidamine in serum and testis, suitable for pharmacological studies in the rat and other mammals, has been developed. Briefly, 0.5 mL of serum or about 0.2 g of testicular tissue were extracted with ethyl acetate and evaporated to dryness under nitrogen. The residue was redissolved in methanol and an aliquot was injected onto a C18 column eluted with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile:water (51:49, v/v), containing 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid. The eluate was monitored at 230 nm with a sensitivity of 0.05 AUFS. By this method, the pharmacokinetics and the serum and testicular levels of the drug up to 120 h after the administration of one single dose (100 mg/kg body weight) of lonidamine to Sprague-Dawley rats have been studied. Results were highly variable, as previously reported, but a very good linear correlation was found between the serum and the testicular levels, suggesting that, in the rat, and possibly in the human, testicular levels could be estimated based on the serum concentrations.     

谷胱甘肽亲和色谱介质的制备及对谷胱甘肽硫转移酶蛋白的纯化

融合表达系统能够为目标蛋白质提供一个用于亲和色谱纯化的标签蛋白,同时可以改善目标蛋白质的可溶性等性质,谷胱甘肽S转移酶(GST)融合蛋白表达系统就是其中的一种。然而,该系统纯化所采用的亲和色谱介质的制备技术被国外一些生物制品大公司所垄断。鉴于此,本实验室通过悉心研究,摸索出一套较成熟的亲和色谱介质的制备方法。     

Incorporation of Tellurocysteine into Glutathione Transferase Generates High Glutathione Peroxidase Efficiency

A rival to native peroxidase! An existing binding site for glutathione was combined with the catalytic residue tellurocysteine by using an auxotrophic expression system to create an engineered enzyme that functions as a glutathione peroxidase from the scaffold of a glutathione transferase (see picture). The catalytic activity of the telluroenzyme in the reduction of hydroperoxides by glutathione is comparable to that of native glutathione peroxidase.

     

Glutathione in Brain Disorders and Aging

Glutathione is a remarkably functional molecule with diverse features, which include being an antioxidant, a regulator of DNA synthesis and repair, a protector of thiol groups in proteins, a stabilizer of cell membranes, and a detoxifier of xenobiotics. Glutathione exists in two states—oxidized and reduced. Under normal physiological conditions of cellular homeostasis, glutathione remains primarily in its reduced form. However, many metabolic pathways involve oxidization of glutathione, resulting in an imbalance in cellular homeostasis. Impairment of glutathione function in the brain is linked to loss of neurons during the aging process or as the result of neurological diseases such as Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease. The exact mechanisms through which glutathione regulates brain metabolism are not well understood. In this review, we will highlight the common signaling cascades that regulate glutathione in neurons and glia, its functions as a neuronal regulator in homeostasis and metabolism, and finally a mechanistic recapitulation of glutathione signaling. Together, these will put glutathione’s role in normal aging and neurological disorders development into perspective.     

A Glutathione Activatable Ion Channel Induces Apoptosis in Cancer Cells by Depleting Intracellular Glutathione Levels

Cancer cells use elevated glutathione (GSH) levels as an inner line of defense to evade apoptosis and develop drug resistance. In this study, we describe a novel 2,4‐nitrobenzenesulfonyl (DNS) protected 2‐hydroxyisophthalamide system that exploits GSH for its activation into free 2‐hydroxyisophthalamide forming supramolecular M⁺/Cl^? channels. Better permeation of the DNS protected compound into MCF‐7 cells compared to the free 2‐hydroxyisophthalamide and GSH‐activatable ion transport resulted in higher cytotoxicity, which was associated with increased oxidative stress that further reduced the intracellular GSH levels and altered mitochondrial membrane permeability leading to the induction of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. The GSH‐activatable transport‐mediated cell death was further validated in rat insulinoma cells (INS‐1E); wherein the intracellular GSH levels showed a direct correlation to the resulting cytotoxicity. Lastly, the active compound was found to restrict the growth and proliferation of 3D spheroids of MCF‐7 cells with efficiency similar to that of the anticancer drug doxorubicin.     

氧化型谷胱甘肽对还原型谷胱甘肽清除自由基的协同作用

利用分光光度法和基质辅助飞行质谱法研究了谷胱甘肽对1,1-二苯基-2-苦肼基(DPPH)自由基的清除作用.通过比较不同浓度和不同配比的还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)和氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)以及Na2SeO3混合溶液的自由基清除率,发现GSH/GSSG的配比对自由基清除率有明显影响.当GSH/GSSG的配比大于50∶ 1时,自由基清除率比同浓度的GSH大,且自由基清除率随GSH和GSSG的绝对浓度的增加而明显增加,说明适量的GSSG可协同催化GSH清除自由基过程.质谱测定结果表明: 此协同作用与GSSG 参与自由基清除过程中的自由基反应有关.Na2SeO3对GSH的清除自由基的影响主要是通过与GSH反应生成GSSG来调控GSH/GSSG配比的结果.通过测定和分析一定配比的GSH+GSSG混合溶液与DPPH作用前后的质谱图,提出了少量的GSSG共存下,GSH催化清除DPPH自由基的作用机理.     

Electrochemical Determination of Glutathione

Procedures were developed for determining glutathione by voltammetry and coulometric titration with electrogenerated oxidants using the biamperometric indication of the titration end-point. Possible mechanisms of the glutathione reaction with electrogenerated halogens are discussed. Microgram amounts of glutathione can be determined in model solutions with an RSD of 1–2%. The oxidation wave of glutathione in the voltammogram is observed at 0.95 V. At higher glutathione concentrations, the wave takes the shape of a peak. Glutathione concentration in the range between 9.15 × 10^–5 and 2.14 × 10^–3 M is a linear function of its oxidation wave height at a stationary platinum electrode in a 0.05 M H₂SO₄ solution. The determination limit for glutathione is 1.9 × 10^–5 M. The procedures for determining glutathione in human blood were proposed.     

Glutathione complexed Fe-S centers

Glutathione (γ-glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine, GSH) is a major thiol-containing peptide with cellular levels of up to 10 mM. (1) Several recent reports have demonstrated glutaredoxins (Grx) to form [Fe(2)S(2)] cluster-bridged dimers, where glutathione provides two exogenous thiol ligands, and have implicated such species in cellular iron sulfur cluster biosynthesis. We report the finding that glutathione alone can coordinate and stabilize an [Fe(2)S(2)] cluster under physiological conditions, with optical, redox, M?ssbauer, and NMR characteristics that are consistent with a [Fe(2)S(2)](GS)(4) composition. The Fe-S assembly protein ISU catalyzes formation of [Fe(2)S(2)](GS)(4) from iron and sulfide ions in the presence of glutathione, and the [Fe(2)S(2)] core undergoes reversible exchange between apo ISU and free glutathione.     

Glutathione Amperometric Enzyme Microsensor

Abstract

Glutathione micro-enzyme sensors were developed based on the immobilization of glutathione oxidase at the tip of a 25 μm Pt wire sealed in glass. An inner membrane constructed from cellulose acetate (CA) was deposited onto the tip of the Pt microelectrode prior to enzyme immobilization with glutaraldehyde. The final outer diameter of the microelectrodes is approximately 30 μm. The analytical characteristics of the microelectrodes, including calibration curves, apparent K_M′, pH response curves, stability and selectivity over enzymatic interferences were determined. The response was linear in the concentration range 1.0 × 10^?5 M - 1.9 × 10^?4 M glutathione, reaching 95% steady-state current in 15–20 seconds. The microelectrodes were useful for more than two months.     

An Overview of Biosensors Based on Glutathione Transferases and for the Detection of Glutathione

Glutathione transferases are enzymes involved in the detoxification against xenobiotics and noxious compounds. These enzymes catalyse a variety of reactions on many physiological and xenobiotic compounds using glutathione as a co-substrate. Moreover, many compounds are inhibitors of such enzymes. A wide array of biosensors based on glutathione transferases have been developed for analysing a variety of noxious compounds, as well as several biosensors devoted to the detection and quantification of glutathione and of glutathione transferases themselves. Here, we review the state of the art in this active field of research, highlighting the possible applications of such devices.     

Highly stereoselective and enantiodivergent synthesis of cyclopropylphosphonates with engineered carbene transferases

Organophosphonate compounds have represented a rich source of biologically active compounds, including enzyme inhibitors, antibiotics, and antimalarial agents. Here, we report the development of a highly stereoselective strategy for olefin cyclopropanation in the presence of a phosphonyl diazo reagent as carbene precursor. In combination with a ‘substrate walking’ protein engineering strategy, two sets of efficient and enantiodivergent myoglobin-based biocatalysts were developed for the synthesis of both (1R,2S) and (1S,2R) enantiomeric forms of the desired cyclopropylphosphonate ester products. This methodology enables the efficient transformation of a broad range of vinylarene substrates at a preparative scale (i.e. gram scale) with up to 99% de and ee. Mechanistic studies provide insights into factors that contribute to make this reaction inherently more challenging than hemoprotein-catalyzed olefin cyclopropanation with ethyl diazoacetate investigated previously. This work expands the range of synthetically useful, enzyme-catalyzed transformations and paves the way to the development of metalloprotein catalysts for abiological carbene transfer reactions involving non-canonical carbene donor reagents.

Two enantiocomplementary myoglobin-based carbene transfer biocatalysts were developed for the synthesis of cyclopropylphosphonate esters with high diastereo- and enantioselectivity and in high yields.     

Glutathione and methylation of inorganic arsenic in hamsters

The effect of giutathione (GSH) concentrations in livers and kidneys of hamsters on the toxicity and methylation of arsenite in these animals was studied. No significant changes in hepatic and renal GSH concentrations were observed after a single arsenite administration (5 mg As kg^?1, p.o.). When buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), an inhibitor of GSH synthesis, was given (4 mmol kg^?1, i.p.) two hours before administration of arsenite, hepatic and renal GSH concentrations were more severely and persistently depressed than in the case of BSO administration not followed by arsenite. Hamsters treated with BSO plus arsenite suffered from severe nephrotoxicity (acute renal failure) characterized by increases in plasma creatinine and urea nitrogen and by proximal tubular necrosis. Concurrently, transient hepatotoxicity was observed in the BSO plus arsenite group. Neither arsenite alone nor BSO alone produced liver or kidney injury. The BSO plus arsenite-treated animals excreted in the urine only 3.5% of the arsenic dose during the 72 h period after administration of arsenite, probably because of a decrease in urine volume caused by kidney injury, whereas the arsenite-only group excreted 27%. In addition, BSO pretreatment influenced the relative proportion of arsenic metabolites excreted in the urine during the first 24 h after administration. Urinary metabolites in the BSO plus arsenite group were predominantly inorganic arsenic. These results suggest that GSH provides protection against arsenic toxicity.     

Substrate Profiling of Glutathione S‐transferase with Engineered Enzymes and Matched Glutathione Analogues

The identification of specific substrates of glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs) is important for understanding drug metabolism. A method termed bioorthogonal identification of GST substrates (BIGS) was developed, in which a reduced glutathione (GSH) analogue was developed for recognition by a rationally engineered GST to label the substrates of the corresponding native GST. A K44G‐W40A‐R41A mutant (GST‐KWR) of the mu‐class glutathione S‐transferases GSTM1 was shown to be active with a clickable GSH analogue (GSH‐R1) as the cosubstrate. The GSH‐R1 conjugation products can react with an azido‐based biotin probe for ready enrichment and MS identification. Proof‐of‐principle studies were carried to detect the products of GSH‐R1 conjugation to 1‐chloro‐2,4‐dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and dopamine quinone. The BIGS technology was then used to identify GSTM1 substrates in the Chinese herbal medicine Ganmaocongji.     

环糊精包结谷胱甘肽的机理

使用分子动力学模拟结合自由能计算的方法在原子水平上研究了谷胱甘肽与α-,β-和γ-环糊精的包结模式,计算了谷胱甘肽与3种环糊精之间6种可能包结过程的自由能变化.结果表明,谷胱甘肽的谷氨酸残基从α-环糊精大口端进入空腔最终形成的包结复合物最稳定;在该复合物中,谷氨酸残基的亚甲基链部分被完全包结在疏水空腔中,其氨基与羧基位于与α-环糊精的小口端,并与环糊精的伯羟基形成了氢键,同时半胱氨酸中的巯基位于环糊精的大口端,得到了有效的保护.因此,疏水相互作用和氢键相互作用构成了包结的主要驱动力.β-环糊精的优势包结模式与α-环糊精类似,但形成复合物的稳定性次之,而γ-环糊精由于空腔较大,优势的包结模式是谷氨酸残基从γ-环糊精小口端进入空腔,但所形成的复合物结构的稳定性最弱.     

检测谷胱甘肽的荧光探针

谷胱甘肽作为细胞中最丰富的非蛋白巯基化合物,对维持人体正常生理活动有着重要作用。因此,能够高效灵敏检测谷胱甘肽意义重大。荧光探针法具有操作方便、特异性优良和灵敏度高等优点,成为目前检测生物样品中谷胱甘肽的主要手段。荧光探针法的成功应用还得益于谷胱甘肽的特殊结构特征,如巯基的亲核性、还原性、对金属离子高亲合力以及氨基的协同反应能力。本文针对近五年来特异性检测谷胱甘肽的荧光探针进行总结,将其分为有机荧光探针和无机荧光探针两大类,并结合香豆素、BODIPY、罗丹明、花菁、苯并噻唑、萘酰亚胺、金属有机骨架、半导体量子点、碳点、金属纳米颗粒、二氧化锰纳米片、石墨烯量子点等有机/无机荧光探针的结构特征,综述了迈克尔加成反应、亲核取代、还原反应以及硫醇诱导的2,4-二硝基苯磺酰基的断裂反应与络合反应等传感机理。同时,对探针的设计策略、谷胱甘肽的响应模式及其在实际中的应用进行了阐述和分析,以期为新型谷胱甘肽荧光探针的构建提供新的思路。     

Multi-residue analysis of free and conjugated hormones and endocrine disruptors in rat testis by QuEChERS-based extraction and LC-MS/MS

Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) are suspected to be responsible for many disorders of the human reproductive system. To establish a causality relationship between exposure to endocrine disruptors and disease, experiments on animals must be performed with improved or new analytical tools. Therefore, a simple, rapid, and effective multi-residue method was developed for the determination of four steroid hormones (i.e., testosterone, androstenedione, estrone, and estradiol), glucuronide and sulfate conjugates of estrone and estradiol and four endocrine disruptors in rat testis (i.e., bisphenol A, atrazine, and active metabolites of methoxychlor and vinclozolin). The sample preparation procedure was based on the Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) approach. An analytical method was then developed to quantify these compounds at ultra-trace levels by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. The QuEChERS extraction was optimized with regard to the acetonitrile/water ratio used in the extraction step, the choice of the cleanup method and the acetonitrile/hexane ratio used in the cleanup step. The optimized extraction method exhibited recoveries between 89% and 108% for all tested compounds except the conjugates (31% to 58%). The detection limits of all compounds were below 20 ng g⁻¹ of wet weight of testis. The method was subsequently applied to determine the levels of hormones and EDCs in seven rat testis samples.