A proposed nomenclature system for the cytosolic sulfotransferase (SULT) superfamily

Abstract

A nomenclature system for the cytosolic sulfotransferase (SULT) superfamily has been developed. The nomenclature guidelines were applied to 65 SULT cDNAs and 18 SULT genes that were characterized from eukaryotic organisms. SULT cDNA and gene sequences were identified by querying the GenBank databases and from published reports of their identification and characterization. These sequences were evaluated and named on the basis of encoded amino acid sequence identity and, in a few cases, a necessity to maintain historical naming convention. Family members share at least 45% amino acid sequence identity whereas subfamily members are at least 60% identical. cDNAs which encode amino acid sequences of at least 97% identity to each other were assigned identical isoform names. We also attempted to categorize orthologous enzymes between various species, where these have been identified, and the nomenclature includes a species descriptor. We present recommendations for the naming of allelic variants of SULT genes and their derived allozymes arising from single nucleotide polymorphisms and other genetic variation. The superfamily currently comprises 47 mammalian SULT isoforms, one insect isoform and eight plant enzymes, and collectively these sequences represent nine separate SULT families and 14 subfamilies. It is hoped that this nomenclature system will be widely adopted and that, as novel SULTs are identified and characterized, investigators will name their discoveries according to these guidelines.

Cloning, Expression, and Characterization of Cytosolic Sulfotransferase Isozymes fromDrosophila melanogaster

“…Hence the dmSTs can be classified into different and novel SULT gene families according to the HUGO nomenclature system. 12) To determine the expression profile of the dmST genes during the development of D. melanogaster, we performed real-time RT-PCR analysis. Expression of the dmST1, 3, and 4 genes was found to be relatively abundant in the embryo stages of development but lower in larvae, whereas that of dmST2 was relatively abundant during the larval stages (Fig.…”

Identification of a novel flavonoid glycoside sulfotransferase in Arabidopsis thaliana

“…For the A. thaliana genome, the At1g13420 (AGI code) gene was named AtSULT202B7 according to a previously reported nomenclature system (15,16). The deduced amino acid sequence of AtSULT202B7 was aligned with AtSULT202B1, a flavonol-7 sulfotransferase (17), and AtSULT202B5, an uncharacterized sulfotransferase, using the Clustal W program.…”

Integrating Field Analyses with Laboratory Exposures to Assess Ecosystems Health

“…Sulfonation is generally thought to be a detoxication process; however, the enzyme also activates certain promutagens, e.g. 5-methylchrysene (Blanchard et al, 2004), DMBA, cyclopenta [c,d,]pyrene and benzo [a]pyrene (Watabe et al, 1982;Surh et al, 1987Surh et al, , 1993Surh & Tannenbaum, 1995) by a mechanism that involves the conjugation of benzylic alcohols. Six cytosolic SULTs are known to be expressed in humans, including phenol SULTs, hydroxy SULTs and estrogen SULTs (Raftogianis et al, 1997;Daly, 2003;Moreno et al, 2005).…”

“…SULT1A1 is highly expressed in numerous organs and catalyses the sulfonation of xenobiotic chemicals including PAHs and endogenous compounds (Raftogianis et al, 1997;Moreno et al, 2005). SULT2A is the hydroxy SULT most heavily implicated in the activation of benzylic alcohols (Blanchard et al, 2004).…”