Isoelectric focusing of glutathione S-transferases: Comparison of the acidic transferases from human liver, kidney, lung, spleen and placenta

Abstract

The glutathion S-transferase composition of human liver, kidney, lung, spleen and placenta was studied by density gradient isoelectric focusing. On the basis of the enzyme distribution, it was possible to divide the supernatants into 2 groups: one having a predominance of basic activity, the other acidic. Each supernatant consisted of > 1 transferase. Human liver and kidney, 2 major detoxifying organs in the body, bore a clear predominance of basic enzymes, and they had the highest transferase activities. The activity of the other organs consisted of almost only a single acidic transferase. Properties of the major acidic transferases from the organs were compared. Prior to the studies, the enzymes underwent partial 2-step purification. According to the comparison, it seems evident that the major acidic transferases from human kidney, lung, spleen and placenta are either closely related or identical.