title: Biosynthesis and biotransformation of glutathione S-conjugates to toxic metabolites.
abstract: The material presented in this review deals with the hypothesis that the nephrotoxicity of certain halogenated alkanes and alkenes is associated with hepatic biosynthesis of glutathione S-conjugates, which are further metabolized to the corresponding cysteine S-conjugates. Some glutathione or cysteine S-conjugates may be direct-acting nephrotoxins, but most cysteine S-conjugates require bioactivation by renal, pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzymes, such as cysteine conjugate beta-lyase (beta-lyase). The biosynthesis of glutathione S-conjugates is catalyzed by both the cytosolic and the microsomal glutathione S-transferases, although the latter enzyme is a better catalyst for the reaction of haloalkenes with glutathione. When glutathione S-conjugate formation yields sulfur mustards, as occurs with vicinal-dihaloethanes, the S-conjugates are direct-acting toxins. In contrast, the S-conjugates formed from fluoro- and chloroalkenes yield S-alkyl- or S-vinyl glutathione conjugates, respectively, which are metabolized to the corresponding cysteine S-conjugates by gamma-glutamyltransferase and dipeptidases; inhibition of these enzymes blocks the toxicity of the glutathione S-conjugates. The cysteine S-conjugates must be metabolized by beta-lyase for the expression of toxicity; the beta-lyase inhibitor aminooxyacetic acid blocks the toxicity of cysteine S-conjugates, and the corresponding alpha-methyl cysteine S-conjugates, which cannot be metabolized by beta-lyase, are not toxic. Moreover, probenecid, an inhibitor of renal anion transport system, blocks the toxicity of cysteine S-conjugates, which cannot be metabolized by beta-lyase, are not toxic. Moreover, probenecid, an inhibitor of renal anion transport system, blocks the toxicity of cysteine S-conjugates. Homocysteine S-conjugates are also potent cyto- and nephrotoxins. The high renal content of gamma-glutamyltransferase and the renal anion transport system are probably determinants of kidney tissue as a target site. Biochemical studies indicate that renal mitochondrial dysfunction is produced by the cysteine S-conjugates. Finally, some of the glutathione and cysteine conjugates are mutagenic in the Ames test, and reactive intermediates formed by the action of beta-lyase may contribute to the nephrocarcinogenicity of certain chloroalkenes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, New York.
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Anders
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lash
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Dekant
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Elfarra
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Dohn
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001711:Biotransformation; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D005982:Glutathione Transferase