Expression of human phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase gene for protection of host cells from lipid hydroperoxide-mediated injury.

A cDNA encoding human phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) was obtained by PCR amplification from human testis cDNA and was inserted into the plasmid pRc/CMV to construct an expression vector for human PHGPx. Guinea pig cell line 104C1 cells were transfected with the expression vector. One of the transfectants, designated 104Cl/O4C, expressed high glutathione peroxidase activity toward dilinoleoyl phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide and linoleic acid hydroperoxide. Western blot analysis revealed a large amount of protein immunoreactive against anti-PHGPx antibody in the transfectant. When the cells were incubated with these hydroperoxides, the parental cells suffered from serious cell injury, whereas the transfectant was extremely resistant against lipid hydroperoxide-mediated injury.