Allyl isothiocyanate that induces GST and UGT expression confers oxidative stress resistance on C. elegans, as demonstrated by nematode biosensor.
BACKGROUND
Electrophilic xenobiotics and endogenous products from oxidative stresses induce the glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), which form a large family within the phase II enzymes over both animal and plant kingdoms. The GSTs thus induced in turn detoxify these external as well as internal stresses. Because these stresses are often linked to ageing and damage to health, the induction of phase II enzymes without causing adverse effects would be beneficial in slowing down ageing and keeping healthy conditions.


RESULTS
We have tested this hypothesis by choosing allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), a functional ingredient in wasabi, as a candidate food ingredient that induces GSTs without causing adverse effects on animals' lives. To monitor the GST induction, we constructed a gst::gfp fusion gene and used it to transform Caenorhabditis elegans for use as a nematode biosensor. With the nematode biosensor, we found that AITC induced GST expression and conferred tolerance on the nematode against various oxidative stresses. We also present evidence that the transcription factor SKN-1 is involved in regulating the GST expression induced by AITC.


CONCLUSIONS
We show the applicability of the nematode biosensor for discovering and evaluating functional food substances and chemicals that would provide anti-ageing or healthful benefits.
Hasegawa
Koichi
K
College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chubu University, Kasugai, Aichi, Japan.
Miwa
Satsuki
S
Tsutsumiuchi
Kaname
K
Miwa
Johji
J
D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004351:Drug Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000187:drug effects; D014453:Glucuronosyltransferase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006540:Herbicides / Q000494:pharmacology; D017879:Isothiocyanates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009285:Naphthoquinones / Q000494:pharmacology; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010269:Paraquat / Q000494:pharmacology; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D006540:Herbicides; D017879:Isothiocyanates; D009285:Naphthoquinones; D014157:Transcription Factors; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; C073702:skn-1 protein, C elegans; C004471:allyl isothiocyanate; D014453:Glucuronosyltransferase; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D010269:Paraquat; C005134:juglone