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Abstract
We report here an exhaustive analysis of the glutathione transferases (GSTs) in the
model brown alga Ectocarpus siliculosus using available genomic resources. A genome
survey revealed the presence of twelve cytosolic GSTs, belonging to the Sigma class,
two pseudogenes, one GST of the Kappa class, and three microsomal GSTs of the MGST3
family of membrane associated protein involved in eicosanoid and glutathione metabolism.
Gene structure and phylogenetic analyses demonstrated the partition of the Sigma GSTs
into two clusters which have probably evolved by duplication events. Gene expression
profiling was conducted after the addition of high concentrations of chemicals, such
as H(2)O(2), herbicides, heavy metals, as well as fatty acid derivatives, in order
to induce stress conditions and to monitor early response mechanisms. The results
of these experiments suggested that E. siliculosus GST genes are recruited in different
and specific conditions. In addition, heterologous expression in yeast of two E. siliculosus
microsomal GST showed that these enzymes feature peroxidase rather than transferase
activity. The potential involvement of E. siliculosus GST in the metabolism of oxygenated
polyunsaturated fatty acids is discussed.