Non-inducibility of the glutathione transferases of the earthworm Eisenia andrei

1. Earthworms were exposed to solutions of potential biotransformation enzyme inducers, i.e. trans-stilbene oxide (0.1 mM), 3-methylcholanthrene (50 μM) or 1,4-bis[2-(3,5-dichloropyridoxyl)]benzene (30 μM) for 1 hr each day in three successive days. 2. Glutathione transferase (GST) was determined in cytosolic extracts of the worms the day after the last treatment, with chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene and ethacrynic and as electrophilic substrates. Activity toward 1,2-epoxy-3-[p-nitro-fenoxy]propane was not detected. 3. With all three substrates, the specific activity in the cytosol was similar in treated animals and controls