Expression of the murine glutathione S-transferase α3 (GSTA3) subunit is markedly induced during adipocyte differentiation: activation of the GSTA3 gene promoter by the pro-adipogenic eicosanoid 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2

Abstract The expression of class α, μ, and π glutathione S -transferases (GSTs) has been examined during the adipose conversion of mouse 3T3-L1 cells. The GSTA4, GSTM1, and GSTP1/2 subunits are expressed constitutively in confluent 3T3-L1 cells, and their levels remain essentially unchanged during adipocyte differentiation. By contrast, the GSTA3 subunit is virtually undetectable in confluent 3T3-L1 cells under basal conditions, but its expression is markedly induced during adipose conversion. Inhibition of the 3T3-L1 adipogenic program demonstrated that GSTA3 expression is associated specifically with acquisition of the adipocytic phenotype. Reporter gene assays demonstrated that the mouse GSTA3 5 ′ -upstream region is transcriptionally activated by 15-deoxy-Δ 12,14 -prostaglandin J 2 through an antioxidant response element, suggesting that this pro-adipogenic eicosanoid may be involved in regulating GSTA3 expression during adipogenesis. These data suggest a previously unrecognised role for GSTs in mouse adipocytes.