Glutathione S-transferase: genetics and role in toxicology

The glutathione S-transferases (GST) are a supergene family of dimeric, enz ymes that catalyse the conjugation of glutathione (GSH) to a variety of ele ctrophiles including arene oxides, unsaturated carbonyls, organic halides a nd other substrates. Their importance is suggested by the finding that GST enzymes are expressed in probably all life forms. In humans, polymorphism i n GST genes has been associated with susceptibility to various diseases tho ugh some recent data indicate that these genotypes modify disease phenotype . Thus, GST genotypes alone and in combination have been linked with clinic al outcome. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.