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The free-living nematode Panagrellus redivivus was found to have relatively high cytosolic glutathione transferase activity.Chromatofocusing indicated that at least four GSH transferase forms were present in the nematode cytosol. An endogenous molecular factor interfered with the binding of the cytosolic GSH transferases to a glutathione affinity matrix and binding only occurred after a partial purification step. The major resolved GSH transferase form B was a basic enzyme that showed no biochemical homology to the three mammalian multigene GSH transferase families and appeared to interact with plant phenols, possible natural substrates. A minor GSH transferase form AT showed a biochemical relationship to the mammalian ct family including catalytic activity with a model lipid hydroperoxide substrate.

An aldehyde reduction enzyme has been purified from the cytosol of the tapeworm, Moniezia expansa, by chromatofocusing and Reactive-Red chromatography. The enzyme is monomeric (subunit 34 kDa) and can utilise NADH and NADPH as co-factors. Substrates of the enzyme include alkanals, alka-2,4-dienals and alk-2-enals, established secondary products of lipid peroxidation. The enzyme reduced methylglyoxal, another possible natural substrate (M. expansa lacks glyoxalase I activity). The parasite enzyme may help form a final line of defence against cytotoxic aldehydes arising from host immune initiated lipid peroxidation.