Glutathione S-transferase (GST) functional genomics: role of Caenorhabditis elegans in investigating GST expression in parasitic nematodes

The Caenorhabditis elegans proteome outlines the first complete profile of the GST system in a metazoan animal. We have exploited this free-living nem atode functional genomic model to dissect GST expression in parasitic nemat odes. GST is an adult intestinal nematode's 'Achilles Heel', since the appa rent down-regulation of other parasite detoxification enzymes means that th e GST system is central to protection against external assault (chemotherap eutics, intestinal toxins, immune effector system) and internally derived c ytotoxins (lipid peroxidation products). We report the relationship between GSTs from the economically important sheep nematode, Haemonchus contortus and C elegans model. Sequence alignment and 2D-electrophoresis support vali dation of C elegans as a model for studying GSTs in parasitic nematodes. (C ) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.