title: Human leukocyte glutathione S-transferase isozyme (class mu) and susceptibility to smoking-related cancers.
abstract: Glutathione S-transferase isozyme class mu from human leukocytes has been shown to be dominantly inherited and can be determined by activity measurement directed toward the substrate trans-stilbene oxide. The activity distribution of leukocyte glutathione S-transferase class mu was determined from control healthy nonsmokers, smokers, and smoking-related cancer patients. In a control healthy nonsmoker population, 54% (n = 50) of the subjects showed high levels of glutathione S-transferase class mu activity. In patients with cancers known to be related to smoking, 46% (n = 50) showed higher levels of glutathione S-transferase class mu. Noncancer smokers matched for age and smoking history with cancer patients showed an increased likelihood of having glutathione S-transferase (GST) class mu activity (76%). These results suggest that GST mu may be a cancer susceptibility marker in the case of smokers. In rats, benzo[a]pyrene (1 mg/kg, ip) administration daily for 3 d produced a significant increase in liver glutathione S-transferase class mu. Although these induction studies in experimental animals may not be relevant to humans, there is a possibility that, as in rats, this enzyme may be inducible in humans by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Hyderabad.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Soni
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Krishna
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Krishnaswamy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000633:toxicity; D015415:Biomarkers; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene; D005982:Glutathione Transferase