The trimeric membrane protein microsomal glutathione transferase 1 (MGST1) possesses glutathione transferase and peroxidase activity. Previous data indicated one active site/trimer whereas structural data suggests three GSH-binding sites. Here we have determined ligand interactions of MGST1 by several techniques. Nanoelectrospray mass spectrometry of native MGST1 revealed binding of three GSH molecules/trimer and equilibrium dialysis showed three product molecules/trimer (K(d) = 320 +/- 50 mu M). All three product molecules Could be competed out with GSH. Reinvestigation of GSH-binding showed one high affinity site per trimer, consistent with earlier data. Using single turnover stopped flow kinetic measurements, Kd could be determined for a low affinity GSH-binding site (2.5 +/- 0.5 mu M). Thus we can reconcile previous observations and show here that MGST1 contains three active sites with different affinities for GSH and that only the high affinity site is catalytically competent.