Characterization of rat glutathione transferases in olfactory epithelium and mucus

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 14; no. 7; p. e0220259
• Main Authors: Heydel, Jean-Marie, Menetrier, Franck, Belloir, Christine, Canon, Francis, Faure, Philippe, Lirussi, Frederic, Chavanne, Evelyne, Saliou, Jean-Michel, Artur, Yves, Canivenc-Lavier, Marie-Chantal, Briand, Loïc, Neiers, Fabrice
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 24.07.2019; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Amino Acid Sequence; Amino acids; Animals; Aroma compounds; Biochemistry, Molecular Biology; Biology and Life Sciences; Biosynthesis; Catabolism; Conjugation; Cytochrome; Cytochrome P450; Cytochromes; Cytochromes P450; Detoxification; EDTA; Enzymes; Epithelium; Esterases; Glutathione; Glutathione Transferase - analysis; Glutathione Transferase - metabolism; Glycoproteins; Health sciences; Hormones; Human health and pathology; Hydrolases; Immunocytochemistry; Immunohistochemistry; Laboratories; Life Sciences; Male; Medicine and Health Sciences; Metabolism; Metabolites; Mucus; Mucus - chemistry; Mucus - metabolism; Nose; Odorant receptors; Odorants; Olfaction; Olfactory epithelium; Olfactory Mucosa - chemistry; Olfactory Mucosa - metabolism; Olfactory Receptor Neurons - chemistry; Olfactory Receptor Neurons - metabolism; Olfactory receptors; Organic chemistry; Physical Sciences; Proteins; Proteomics; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Receptors; Research and Analysis Methods; Respiratory System - chemistry; Respiratory System - metabolism; Sensory Organs; Smell; Steroid hormones; Steroids; Transferases; France
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220259

The olfactory epithelium is continuously exposed to exogenous chemicals, including odorants. During the past decade, the enzymes surrounding the olfactory receptors have been shown to make an important contribution to the process of olfaction. Mammalian xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes, such as cytochrome P450, esterases and glutathione transferases (GSTs), have been shown to participate in odorant clearance from the olfactory receptor environment, consequently contributing to the maintenance of sensitivity toward odorants. GSTs have previously been shown to be involved in numerous physiological processes, including detoxification, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and amino acid catabolism. These enzymes ensure either the capture or the glutathione conjugation of a large number of ligands. Using a multi-technique approach (proteomic, immunocytochemistry and activity assays), our results indicate that GSTs play an important role in the rat olfactory process. First, proteomic analysis demonstrated the presence of different putative odorant metabolizing enzymes, including different GSTs, in the rat nasal mucus. Second, GST expression was investigated in situ in rat olfactory tissues using immunohistochemical methods. Third, the activity of the main GST (GSTM2) odorant was studied with in vitro experiments. Recombinant GSTM2 was used to screen a set of odorants and characterize the nature of its interaction with the odorants. Our results support a significant role of GSTs in the modulation of odorant availability for receptors in the peripheral olfactory process.