Class-Pi of Glutathione S-Transferases

Class-Pi of glutathione s-transferases (GST-Pi) is the specific form of GSTs that are known to participate particularly in the mechanisms of resistance to drugs and carcinogens. This class of the enzyme is referred to as class-P or class-Pi or class π. The accepted terminology in this review article is class-Pi. In this article following a brief description of identified molecular forms of GSTs, we focus on GST-Pi. We review new findings about the structure and regulation of GST-Pi gene. Then, the role of GST-Pi in liver damage, oxidative stress, carcinogenesis and drug resistance are discussed. Also, the presence of common genetic polymorphism,hypermethylation in GST-Pi gene and the consequences GST-Pi knock out is regarded.