The role of glutathione and glutathione S-transferases in the metabolism of chemical carcinogens and other electrophilic agents.

TLDR: The knowledge of the way in which mutagens and carcinogens are metabolized is essential to a better understanding of their mode of action and of the processes for their detoxication.

Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the role of glutathione (GSH) and glutathione s-transferases in metabolism of chemical carcinogens and other electrophilic agents. GSH is a tripeptide (I) that is present in nearly all living cells and is the most abundant sulfhydryl compound present in animal tissues, mainly in the cytosol. The chapter illustrates the wide range of electrophilic agents, including several known mutagens and carcinogens, which conjugate with GSH, a process usually catalyzed by the GSH S-transferases. This conjugation is probably a protective mechanism and is the initial stage in mercapturic acid biosynthesis for the elimination of foreign compounds from the body. GSH S-transferases provide protection not only by catalyzing the conjugation of a potential toxicant with GSH, but also by preferentially binding, even covalently, that toxicant. The reactive electrophiles that conjugate with GSH also bind to DNA, RNA, and protein and identification of GSH conjugates provide information on the nature of these biologically active intermediates or even their immediate precursors. Thus, the knowledge of the way in which mutagens and carcinogens are metabolized is essential to a better understanding of their mode of action and of the processes for their detoxication.