LOCALIZATION OF ALPHA, MU AND PI CLASS GLUTATHIONE S-TRANSFERAS IN KIDNEY - COMPARISON WITH CUZN SUPEROXIDE-DISMUTASE

We describe studies in whole kidney, cortical and medullary homogenate s and, glomerular cells in culture to determine the relative levels of expression of alpha (Ya, Yc, Yk), mu (Yb1/Yb2), pi (Yf) glutathione S -transferases (GST) and CuZn superoxide dismutase (CuZn SOD) in differ ent regions of the nephron. Immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry we re used to demonstrate relatively weak expression of alpha, mu GST and , CuZn SOD in the glomerulus compared to that in particularly distal t ubules. Whilst expression of Ya was found within glomerular cells, Yc, Yk and Yf were not detected. Immunofluorescence showed that Ya and Yb 1/Yb2 but not Yf were expressed in cultured epithelial and mesangial c ells studied between passages 1 and 3. While Ya was distibuted in cyto sol, Yb1/Yb2 was primarily located in nuclei.