A preliminary characterization of the cytosolic glutathione transferase proteome from Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

The cytosolic GST (glutathione transferase) superfamily has been annotated in the Drosophila melanogaster genome database. Of 36 genes, four undergo alternative splicing to yield a total of 41 GST proteins. In the present study, we have obtained the 41 transcripts encoding proteins by RT (reverse transcription)-PCR using RNA template from Drosophila S2 cells, an embryonic cell line. This observation suggests that all of the annotated DmGSTs (D. melanogaster GSTs) in the proteome are expressed in the late embryonic stages of D. melanogaster. To avoid confusion in naming these numerous DmGSTs, we have designated them following the universal GST nomenclature as well as previous designations that fit within this classification. Furthermore, in the cell line, we identified an apparent processed pseudogene, gste8, in addition to two isoforms from the Delta class that have been published previously. Only approximately one-third of the expressed DmGSTs could be purified by conventional GSH affinity chromatography. The diverse kinetic properties as well as physiological substrate specificity of the DmGSTs are such that each individual enzyme displayed a unique character even compared with members from the same class.

Identification of novel modifiers of Aβ toxicity by transcriptomic analysis in the fruitfly

“…Furthermore, 63% of our 195 ageing signature genes for which expression level correlated with decreased survival with age were identified as ageing genes in the same study14 (hypergeometric test for enrichment, p < 1 × 10e-22). An analysis of the correlated genes for the control cohort using the Flymine database15 revealed that the pathways in which these genes are involved are significantly enriched in a number of pathways and GO annotations related to xenobiotic metabolism, glutathione metabolism and immune response pathways1617. This is consistent with current theories of ageing192018.…”

Characterization and Functional Analysis of Four Glutathione S-Transferases from the Migratory Locust, Locusta migratoria

“…There are at least 41 DmGSTs found in Drosophila melanogaster [20], 37 AgGSTs in A. gambiae [21], 12 AmGSTs in A. mellifera [22] and 23 BmGSTs in B. mori [23]. In our previous study, 10 GSTs were identified from L. migratoria .…”

The diverse biological functions of glutathione S-transferase omega in Drosophila

“…The CG6673 gene produces two alternatively spliced products, isoforms A and B ( Figure 1 ). Recently, these four GSTO genes were named sepia, GstO1, GstO2 , and GstO3 , respectively [ 2 ]. The average sequence identities/similarities are high, at 43% -65%/66% -82%, based on the amino acid sequence alignment of the different isoforms of GSTO [ 11 ].…”

“…These enzymes provide protection against carcinogens, therapeutic drugs, and several types of cellular oxidative damage [ 1 ]. Based on their amino acid sequences and substrate specificities, GSTs are grouped into at least ten classes: α , δ , ε , κ , μ , π , σ , θ , ζ , and ω [ 2 ].…”