Glutathione S-transferase alpha 8, pseudogene (GSTA8P)

Glutathione S-transferase alpha 8, pseudogene (GSTA8P, also known as GSTAP7), is annotated as a pseudogene related to the alpha class of glutathione S-transferases. Pseudogenes such as GSTA8P are segments of DNA that resemble functional genes but are generally nonfunctional and do not produce active enzyme or receptor products. Unlike functional glutathione S-transferases—which are phase II detoxification enzymes involved in conjugating glutathione to various substrates for detoxification purposes[1][3][7]—pseudogenes do not encode active proteins and therefore lack catalytic, transport, or receptor activity. As such, GSTA8P is not a bona fide therapeutic target, does not play a direct biological role, and neither serves as a biomarker nor interacts with drugs. Its name and classification may occasionally lead to confusion in gene or protein databases due to overlap with functionally similar gene names and symbols[7]. Context and Supporting Details: - The alpha class of glutathione S-transferases (abbreviated GSTA) contains multiple functional enzymes (such as GSTA1–GSTA5), all of which participate in detoxifying xenobiotics[1][3][7]. - The human genome includes several glutathione S-transferase pseudogenes, which are catalogued but lack evidence of being transcribed/translated into active enzymes[7]. - Pseudogenes sometimes arise through gene duplication or loss of function and are usually not implicated directly in disease or therapeutic response. - No drugs, mechanisms of action, or disease involvements are associated with GSTA8P because it does not encode a functional protein. Key finding: While "Glutathione S-transferase alpha 8, pseudogene" matches a gene nomenclature format, it refers to a non-functional pseudogene and not a druggable target or mechanistically active biomolecule[7].

Other names

GSTAP7