Search

The predominant forms of the dimeric enzyme glutathione S-transferase were purified from rat liver. Forms YbY'b and YbYb (also known as forms C and A, respectively) could be almost completely inhibited by 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate (2,4-D). Half-maximal inhibition was obtained at 0.5 mM 2,4-D. Inhibition was seen even at extrapolated infinite concentrations of both substrates for YbYb but not YbY'b. These same forms could also be inhibited 70 to 80% by 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetate (2,4,5-T) with half maximal inhibition occurring at 0.2 mM. Glutathione S-transferase form YaYa was maximally inhibited by 72 and 30%, respectively, by 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T. The 30% inhibition of YaYa caused by 2,4,5-T was shown to reduce the nearly complete inhibition caused by a previously characterized inhibitor, namely bile acids. This suggests competition for a common binding site on the enzyme. In contrast to the above results, it was found that form YcYc (also termed AA) was activated 2.7-fold by 2,4,5-T and 1.4-fold by 2,4-D. This activation could be blocked by chenodeoxycholate which, by itself, did not affect the activity of the enzyme. The effects of 2,4,5-T and 2,4-D on the heterodimer YaYc (also termed form B) were intermediate between their effects on YaYa and YcYc, suggesting that each subunit contributes its unique property to the heterodimer. The microsomal membrane-bound form of glutathione S-transferase was also examined and found to be inhibited by both 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T. However, unlike the inhibitions of soluble forms, 2,4,5-T caused more extensive inhibition than 2,4-D.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) more...

2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) reduced the uptake of 5-hydroxy-3-indoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) by the choroid plexus in a dose-related manner, while treatment with quinolinic acid at comparable concentrations did not inhibit 5-HIAA uptake. The role of carrier-mediated transport in the clearance of 5-HIAA from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was also evaluated in vivo by ventriculocisternal perfusion. Steady-state clearance of 5-HIAA from CSF exceeded that of inulin and was reduced competitively in the presence of 2,4,5-T. However, the clearance was not affected by quinolinic acid. The effect of 2,4,5-T on transport enzyme systems was also studied by electron microscopic cytochemistry. Na+-K+-ATPase and cytochrome oxidase activities in the choroid plexus were reduced by 2,4,5-T. Since this transport system in the choroid plexus is normally responsible for the excretion of the serotonin metabolite from the brain to the plasma, accumulation of endogenously produced organic acids in the CSF and the brain, secondary to reduced clearance by the choroid plexus, could be a contributing factor in the development of neurotoxicity. more...

Components of the herbicide Agent Orange--2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,-D) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) and their esters, and the contaminant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)--and related chemicals were tested for mutagenicity using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA100, TA1535, and TA1537. No mutagenic activity was observed for any of the chemicals tested. more...