Glutathione S-transferase Mu 2 is an
enzyme that in humans is encoded by the ''GSTM2''
gene.
Cytosolic and membrane-bound forms of
glutathione S-transferase are encoded by two distinct
supergene
A supergene is a chromosomal region encompassing multiple neighboring genes that are inherited together because of close genetic linkage, i.e. much less recombination than would normally be expected. This mode of inheritance can be due to genomic ...
families. At present, eight distinct classes of the soluble cytoplasmic mammalian glutathione S-transferases have been identified: alpha, kappa, mu, omega, pi, sigma, theta and zeta.
This gene encodes a glutathione S-transferase that belongs to the mu class. The mu class of enzymes functions in the detoxification of
electrophilic
In chemistry, an electrophile is a chemical species that forms bonds with nucleophiles by accepting an electron pair. Because electrophiles accept electrons, they are Lewis acids. Most electrophiles are positively charged, have an atom that carri ...
compounds, including
carcinogens, therapeutic drugs,
environmental toxins
A toxin is a naturally occurring organic matter, organic poison produced by metabolic activities of Life, living Cell (biology), cells or organisms. Toxins occur especially as a protein or conjugated protein. The term toxin was first used by orga ...
and products of
oxidative stress, by conjugation with
glutathione. The genes encoding the mu class of enzymes are organized in a gene cluster on chromosome 1p13.3 and are known to be highly polymorphic. These genetic variations can change an individual's susceptibility to carcinogens and toxins as well as affect the toxicity and efficacy of certain drugs.
References
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