GST Mouse Antibody

Glutathione-S-Transferases (GSTs) are a diverse family of enzymes that play a crucial role in cellular detoxification processes. These enzymes catalyze the conjugation of the tripeptide glutathione (GSH) to a variety of endogenous and exogenous electrophilic compounds. This reaction is essential for the detoxification of harmful substances, including carcinogens, environmental toxins, and products of oxidative stress .

GSTs are found in virtually all eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms. They are classified into several classes based on their sequence homology and substrate specificity, including Alpha, Mu, Pi, Theta, and Omega classes . Each class has distinct structural features and catalytic properties:

• Alpha Class: Predominantly found in the liver and involved in the detoxification of bilirubin and other endogenous compounds.
• Mu Class: Found in various tissues and involved in the detoxification of a wide range of xenobiotics.
• Pi Class: Overexpressed in many tumors and associated with drug resistance.
• Theta Class: Involved in the metabolism of halogenated compounds.
• Omega Class: Plays a role in the biotransformation of inorganic arsenic .

GSTs have a conserved structure with two distinct domains: a smaller N-terminal domain that binds GSH and a larger C-terminal domain that binds the electrophilic substrate. The active site of GSTs contains a serine or cysteine residue that plays a critical role in the catalytic mechanism .

GSTs have been extensively studied for their applications in biotechnology and medicine. They are used as fusion tags in protein expression systems to facilitate the purification of recombinant proteins. The GST tag allows for easy purification using glutathione-affinity chromatography .

In medicine, GSTs are explored as potential biomarkers for various diseases, including cancer. The overexpression of GST Pi (GSTP1) in tumors is associated with resistance to chemotherapy, making it a target for cancer therapy .

Antibodies against GST are valuable tools in research and diagnostics. These antibodies can be used to detect and quantify GST-tagged proteins in various applications, including Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence . GST antibodies are typically generated by immunizing animals with purified GST protein or GST fusion proteins. The resulting polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies are then purified and characterized for their specificity and affinity .

• Western Blotting: GST antibodies are used to detect GST-tagged proteins in cell lysates or tissue extracts. The antibodies bind specifically to the GST tag, allowing for the visualization of the tagged protein on a Western blot.
• Immunoprecipitation: GST antibodies can be used to isolate GST-tagged proteins from complex mixtures. The antibodies bind to the GST tag, enabling the precipitation of the tagged protein along with its interacting partners.
• Immunofluorescence: GST antibodies are used to visualize the localization of GST-tagged proteins in cells. The antibodies are conjugated to fluorescent dyes, allowing for the detection of the tagged protein using fluorescence microscopy .