Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:2.5.1.18 (glutathione S-transferase)
 22,582 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Though a developing body of data indicates polymorphism at GST genes influences cancer susceptibility, it is unclear why a genotype is associated with one cancer but not another. We believe the GST exert a critical role in normal cell house-keeping activities. GSTM1, GSTM3 and GSTT1 influence tumorigenesis because these enzymes utilise the products of UV-induced oxidative stress. Further support for the importance of these genes in the protection of skin from UV comes from studies in systemic lupus erythematosus (Ollier et al, 1996). Thus, GSTM1 null is associated with increased anti-Ro (but not anti-La) antibodies, a phenotype associated with photosensitivity. At present there is no basis for predicting which cancers will be influenced by GST polymorphisms though other studies do indicate that the GSTs are critical in the metabolism of environmental carcinogens. For example, GSTT1 null confers an increased risk of astrocytoma (Hand et al, 1996). While brain tumours are not clearly associated with environmental pollutants, N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, processed meats and occupation have been implicated. Why GSTT1 but not GSTM1 or GSTM3 influences the risk of astrocytoma is unclear. GSTM3 appears a good susceptibility candidate, as some astrocytes demonstrate strong expression (Hand et al, 1996). Susceptibility to squamous cell cancer of the larynx, a pathology associated with chronic consumption of tobacco and alcohol, is also influenced by allelism at GSTM3 (Jahnke et al, 1996). The roles of CYP2D6 and CYP1A1 are even more unclear, though the finding that systemic agents such as arsenic predispose to multiple BCC, suggests that CYP2D6-mediated hepatic detoxification of photosensitizing agents may be important. Importantly, the extent of altered risk conferred by genotypes is generally 2-3 fold and it is necessary to identify which other genes interact with the GST so that haplotypes associated with 10-20 fold increases in risk can be defined.
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PMID:Polymorphism in glutathione S-transferase loci as a risk factor for common cancers. 944 13

Small Rho GTPases are major regulators of the actin cytoskeleton dynamics in eukaryotic cells. Sophisticated tools used to investigate their activity in living cells include probes based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and photoactivation. However, such methods are of limited use in quickly migrating cells due to a short time available for image acquisition leading to a low signal-to-noise ratio. Attempts to remedy this effect by increasing the intensity of illumination are restricted by photobleaching of probes and the cell photosensitivity. Here we present design and characterization of a new fluorescent probe that selectively binds to active form of Rac1 GTPases, and demonstrate its superior properties for imaging in highly motile Dictyostelium cells. The probe is based on the GTPase-binding domain (GBD) from DPAKa kinase and was selected on the basis of yeast two-hybrid screen, GST pull-down assay and FRET measurements by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy. DPAKa(GBD) probe binds specifically to GTP-bound Rac1 at the cell membrane and features a low cytoplasmic background. The main advantage of DPAKa(GBD) in comparison with similar probes is its finely graded intensity distribution along the entire plasma membrane, which enables quantitative measurements of the Rac1 activity in different parts of the membrane. Finally, expression of DPAKa(GBD) induces no adverse effects on cell growth, motility and cytokinesis.
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PMID:Quantitative imaging of Rac1 activity in Dictyostelium cells with a fluorescently labelled GTPase-binding domain from DPAKa kinase. 2712 94