GSTA3
Description
The GSTA3 (glutathione S-transferase alpha 3) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 6.
GSTA3 is a human gene that encodes an enzyme, glutathione S-transferase A3, which belongs to the alpha class of glutathione S-transferases. These enzymes are involved in protecting cells from toxic, carcinogenic, and pharmacologically active electrophilic compounds. GSTA3, specifically, has evolved to possess glutathione peroxidase activity and catalyzes the isomerization of precursors for progesterone and testosterone during steroid hormone biosynthesis. There are multiple variants of this gene, but the full length sequence of one variant remains undetermined.
GSTA3 conjugates reduced glutathione to a variety of exogenous and endogenous hydrophobic electrophiles. It also catalyzes isomerization reactions involved in the biosynthesis of steroid hormones, specifically the obligatory double-bond isomerizations of delta(5)-androstene-3,17-dione and delta(5)-pregnene-3,20-dione, precursors to testosterone and progesterone. GSTA3 exhibits significant activity toward aflatoxin B1-8,9-epoxide (based on similarity to other known functions).
GSTA3 is also known as GSTA3-3, GTA3.
