Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are abundant proteins encoded by a highly
divergent, ancient gene family. Soluble GSTs form dimers, each subunit of
which contains active sites that bind glutathione and hydrophobic ligands.
Plant GSTs attach glutathione to electrophilic xenobiotics, which tags them
for vacuolar sequestration. The role of GSTs in metabolism is unclear, alt
hough their complex regulation by environmental stimuli implies that they h
ave important protective functions. Recent studies show that GSTs catalyse
glutathione-dependent isomerizations and the reduction of toxic organic hyd
roperoxides. GSTs might also have non-catalytic roles as carriers for phyto
chemicals.