PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE SOLUBLE GLUTATHIONE-S-TRANSFERASE ISOENZYMES IN RAT-KIDNEY DERIVED NRK CELLS

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzymes are toxicologically important from many points of view. Rat kidney derived established NRK cells wer e mass cultured for the isolation of GST isoenzymes. These were enrich ed by affinity chromatography and separated by chromatofocusing and HP LC. Exactly the same major GST subunits were found in NRK cells as in the rat kidney. Strong evidence was also found for the presence of an aberrant form of GST 7-7, as was described in rat kidney. A very good correlation between the NRK GST and rat kidney, and especially cis-pla tinum treated kidney, was found. It is concluded that NRK cells can be considered as a valuable alternative tool for in vitro research of ra t kidney phenomena, especially when toxicological interactions are inv estigated.