Preliminary analysis of glutathione S-transferase homolog from Lactobacillus casei Zhang

Abstract

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) constitute a large protein family. Some of them are proved to be associated with biphenyl metabolism. In this study, we described a homolog of GST gene in Lactobacillus casei Zhang that revealed by genome analysis. The GST gene itself as well as the adjacent gene context was highly conserved among different L. casei isolates. Phylogenetic investigation suggested that the GST gene was acquired via horizontal gene transfer event, possibly from gamma subdivision. Additional survival experiment indicated that it may not benefit the L. casei host for growing in the presence of biphenyl. It was for the first time discovered that GST was encoded by Lactobacillaceae species.