Partial purification and characterization of the soluble glutathione transferase isoenzymes from cultured Hep G2 cells.

Hep G2 cells, an established cell line derived from a human hepatoma, were mass cultured in a cell factory for the isolation of glutathione transferase isoenzymes. These were enriched by affinity chromatography and separated in an anionic and a cationic fraction. They were partially characterized by different kinetic and inhibition parameters. Three different subunits were observed. The results were compared with human liver data. It is concluded that Hep G2 cells can be considered as a valuable alternative tool for in vitro research of human liver phenomena, especially when toxicological interactions are investigated.