About this Research Topic
The superfamily of glutathione transferases (also known as glutathione S-transferases; GSTs) is composed of several distinct proteins widely distributed among eukaryotes and prokaryotes. At least four major families of GSTs were identified, namely cytosolic GSTs, mitochondrial GSTs, microsomal GSTs, and the so-called prokaryotic fosfomycin resistance proteins. Basing on their chemical, physical and structural properties, the cytosolic GSTs were further subgrouped into seven distinct classes of catalytically active enzymes.
Besides the early recognized involvement of GSTs in drug and xenobiotic metabolism, other biological functions have been identified, including isomerase reactions, glutathionylation, and the regulation of ion channels and cell signaling pathways. GSTs non-enzymatic functions have been also demonstrated in the regulation of MAPKs pathway and the ryanodine receptor activity.
Recent studies have also focused on GSTs polymorphisms and their potential role in cancer development/drug resistance, inflammatory diseases and neurodegenerative diseases. In this perspective, the research of suitable GSTs inhibitors is also an active field of study.
The aim of this Research Topic is to improve the understanding of this large – and not fully explored – family of enzymes by focusing on the novel functions of GSTs and, more interestingly, on their implication in pathophysiology.
The current Research Topic will include original research papers, reviews, as well as perspectives and opinion papers. Areas to be covered in this Research Topic may include, but are not limited to:
• New perspectives about GSTs mechanisms and functions
• Studies about therapeutic strategies involving GSTs inhibition/modulation in specific pathological conditions
• The significance and functional effects of GSTs polymorphisms in cancer and inflammatory diseases
• GST targeting in personalized cancer treatment approaches (also combinatory treatments involving GST inhibitors)
• GSTs in oxidative stress response
• The involvement of GSTs in immune modulation
• GST mechanisms in marine organisms and insects
• Non-human GSTs: roles and blueprints for human diseases?
• Nutrition and GSTs: is there a link?
Besides the early recognized involvement of GSTs in drug and xenobiotic metabolism, other biological functions have been identified, including isomerase reactions, glutathionylation, and the regulation of ion channels and cell signaling pathways. GSTs non-enzymatic functions have been also demonstrated in the regulation of MAPKs pathway and the ryanodine receptor activity.
Recent studies have also focused on GSTs polymorphisms and their potential role in cancer development/drug resistance, inflammatory diseases and neurodegenerative diseases. In this perspective, the research of suitable GSTs inhibitors is also an active field of study.
The aim of this Research Topic is to improve the understanding of this large – and not fully explored – family of enzymes by focusing on the novel functions of GSTs and, more interestingly, on their implication in pathophysiology.
The current Research Topic will include original research papers, reviews, as well as perspectives and opinion papers. Areas to be covered in this Research Topic may include, but are not limited to:
• New perspectives about GSTs mechanisms and functions
• Studies about therapeutic strategies involving GSTs inhibition/modulation in specific pathological conditions
• The significance and functional effects of GSTs polymorphisms in cancer and inflammatory diseases
• GST targeting in personalized cancer treatment approaches (also combinatory treatments involving GST inhibitors)
• GSTs in oxidative stress response
• The involvement of GSTs in immune modulation
• GST mechanisms in marine organisms and insects
• Non-human GSTs: roles and blueprints for human diseases?
• Nutrition and GSTs: is there a link?
Keywords: Glutathione transferases, polymorphisms, pathogenesis, cancer, inflammation
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
