What is glutathion s-transferase?
Glutathion S-Transferase (GST) is a protein that helps reduce oxidative stress in cells. Part of this function is mediated by the elimination of partially metabolized drugs and natural toxic compounds in the organisms. In addition, it has a role in steroid synthesis and some other complex regulatory compounds in mammal cells. There are a number of different types of GST located in various cellular compartments that create a large family of enzymes. Catalyzes the transmission of glutathione to reduce the oxidized compound. Such compounds can range from prescription drugs to toxins that people have encountered in their diet to pesticides and pollutants in the environment. Plants contain a number of toxic compounds, while mushrooms sometimes contaminate food supplies and produce mycotoxins. If such compounds are lipophilic or tend to dissolve in membranes, they are usually a detoxifying system in the membrane of the liver. Glutathion s-transferases s-transfErase can detoxify phase II using the –OH group. This includes transmission of glutathion to oxygen group. The formation of a modified group generally makes the compounds more soluble in water and can be excreted from the body in the urine. Occasionally these reactions make the compound more carcinogenic.
reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as peroxides and free radicals, contribute to oxidative stress in cells. This can damage membranes, proteins and DNA - contribute to tissue damage. The presence of excess of these compounds was associated with accelerated aging. Glutathion S-Transferase can help in the non-harvest of these molecules and act as a cellular antioxidant.
Other types of glutathion s-transferases can also be involved in the synthesis of complex signaling molecules. For example, they are involved in eikosanoid biosynthesis, groups of complex compounds, including signaling molecules of leukotrieins and prostagladin. In addition, JE This type of enzyme is partially involved in biosynthesis of hormones of testosterone and progesterone.
There are a large number of different forms of glutathion s-transferase. Some are found in cytosol, while others are microsomal or mitochondrial. They are found in animals, plants and bacteria. Glutathion S-transferases have a number of different families, with many containing more family members. The presence of such a super-family family allows enzymes to have a wide range of specialized features.