New members of the glutathione transferase family discovered in red and brown algae

Cécile Hervé, Pierre-Olivier de Franco, Agnès Groisillier, Thierry Tonon, Catherine Boyen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The GSTs (glutathione transferases) are involved in the detoxification of a wide variety of hydrophobic substrates. These enzymes have been found in virtually all types of organisms, including plants, animals, nematodes and bacteria. In the present study, we report the molecular and biochemical characterization of algal GSTs. Phylogenetic analysis showed that most of them were distinct from previously described GST classes, but were most closely related to the Sigma class. Profiling of GST genes from the red alga Chondrus crispus and brown alga Laminaria digitata was undertaken after different chemical treatments and showed that they displayed contrasting patterns of transcription. Recombinant algal GST from both species showed transferase activities against the common substrates aryl halides, but also on the alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl 4-hydroxynonenal. Also, they exhibit significant peroxidation towards organic hydroperoxides, including oxygenated derivatives of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Among a range of compounds tested, Cibacron Blue was the most efficient inhibitor of algal GSTs identified.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)535-44
Number of pages10
JournalBiochemical journal
Volume412
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Jun 2008

Keywords

  • Algal Proteins/chemistry
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • DNA, Complementary/metabolism
  • Glutathione Transferase/chemistry
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phaeophyta/enzymology
  • Phylogeny
  • Rhodophyta/enzymology
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Transcription, Genetic

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