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. 2004 Nov;1(6):460-4.
doi: 10.1186/1479-7364-1-6-460.

Analysis of the glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene family

Daniel W Nebert  1 , Vasilis Vasiliou
Affiliations

Analysis of the glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene family

Daniel W Nebert et al. Hum Genomics. 2004 Nov.

Abstract

The glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene family encodes genes that are critical for certain life processes, as well as for detoxication and toxification mechanisms, via conjugation of reduced glutathione (GSH) with numerous substrates such as pharmaceuticals and environmental pollutants. The GST genes are upregulated in response to oxidative stress and are inexplicably overexpressed in many tumours, leading to problems during cancer chemotherapy. An analysis of the GST gene family in the Human Genome Organization-sponsored Human Gene Nomenclature Committee database showed 21 putatively functional genes. Upon closer examination, however, GST-kappa 1 (GSTK1), prostaglandin E synthase (PTGES) and three microsomal GSTs (MGST1, MGST2, MGST3) were determined as encoding membrane-bound enzymes having GST-like activity, but these genes are not evolutionarily related to the GST gene family. It is concluded that the complete GST gene family comprises 16 genes in six subfamilies--alpha (GSTA), mu (GSTM), omega (GSTO), pi (GSTP), theta (GSTT) and zeta (GSTZ).

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Dendrogram of the 21 genes under discussion. In order to decrease clutter and confusion, it has been chosen not to include three alternative splice variants of GSTM4, two variants of GSTM1 and three variants of GSTZ1 in construction of this tree. The X-axis denotes evolutionary time, which is not precise but extends over hundreds of millions of years.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Dendrogram of the 16 GST genes that are bona fide members of the GST family. Again, for the sake of simplicity, the additional splice variants of GSTM4, GSTM1 and GSTZ1 have been excluded. The X-axis denotes evolutionary time, which is not precise but extends over hundreds of millions of years.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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