GLUTATHIONE S-TRANSFERASES FROM THE GASTROINTESTINAL NEMATODE HELIGMOSOMOIDES-POLYGYRUS AND MAMMALIAN LIVER COMPARED

Glutathione S-transferases have been partially characterised from the gastrointestinal nematode Heligmosomoides polygyrus. Two major subunit families were purified (24 and 23 kDa) with N-terminal homology to th e mammalian Alpha family. Four dimeric forms of GST were purified from the nematode by glutathione-affinity chromatography, two major enzyme s (pI 8.1, 5.0) and two minor forms (pI 5.8, 5.3). The purified GST po ol could neutralize model and lipid peroxides via peroxidase activity but not peroxidation derived reactive carbonyls via glutathione transf erase activity. Antisera raised to the pooled nematode GSTs appeared t o recognize other Strongylida GSTs more strongly on Western blotting c ompared to mammalian GSTs.