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P I Mackenzie

Publications and source records attributed to P I Mackenzie.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The human UDP glucuronosyltransferase, UGT1A10, glucuronidates mycophenolic acid.

The cDNA encoding the UDP glucuronosyltransferase, UGT1A10, has been cloned from human colon. The deduced amino acid sequence of the cDNA is 90% similar in sequence to that of a previously characterized form, UGT1A9 (Hlug P4), and contains a signal peptide and carboxyl-terminal hydrophobic domain characteristic of all UDP glucuronosyltransferases isolated to date. The enzyme synthesized in UGT1A10 cDNA-transfected COS-7 cells has a relative molecular mass of 56 kDa and is very active in the glucuronidation of mycophenolic acid (apparent Km of 34 microM and Vmax of 0.6 nmoles/min/mg protein). Other UGTs (UGT1A1, 1A3, 1A4, 1A6, 1A9, 2B7, 2B10 and 2B11) synthesized in COS cells had relatively little activity towards mycophenolic acid, suggesting that UGT1A10 may have a significant role in the elimination of this antineoplastic and immunosuppressive agent in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The regio- and stereo-selectivity of C19 and C21 hydroxysteroid glucuronidation by UGT2B7 and UGT2B11.

The capacity of two human hepatic UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) isoforms, UGT2B7 and UGT2B11, to metabolize more than 50 hydroxylated androgens and pregnanes was investigated. All mono- and dihydroxylated androgens with a hydroxyl function in the 3 alpha, 6 alpha, and 17 beta positions were glucuronidated by UGT2B7, but highest activity was generally observed for steroids containing a 3 alpha-hydroxy substituent. UGT2B7 did not glucuronidate 2 alpha-, 2 beta-, 3 beta-, 6 beta-, 7 alpha-, 11 alpha-, and 11 beta-monohydroxylated androgens, although the presence of hydroxyl groups at certain of these positions did not abolish the ability of UGT2B7 to metabolize diols which also possessed a 3 alpha- or 17 beta-hydroxyl group. 3 alpha-Hydroxypregnanes were also glucuronidated by UGT2B7. Activity was not detected for 6 alpha-, 6 beta-, 11 beta-, 12 alpha-, 16 alpha-, 17 alpha-, 20 alpha-, or 21-monohydroxylated pregnanes. Although 11 alpha-hydroxylated androgens were not glucuronidated by UGT2B7, this enzyme exhibited high activity toward the 11 alpha-hydroxylated derivatives of 5 beta-prenanedione and progesterone. UGT2B11 similarly glucuronidated 3 alpha-hydroxyandrogens and -pregnanes, but rates of metabolism were low compared to UGT2B7. With the exception of androsterone and its 5 beta-isomer, ring A/B stereochemistry appeared not to influence rates of hydroxysteroid glucuronidation by UGT2B7 and UGT2B11. Overall, the data indicate a high degree of stereo- and regioselectivity in the glucuronidation of hydroxyandrogens and -pregnanes by UGT2B7 and UGT2B11 and further suggest that UGT2B7 may contribute to the glucuronidation of 3 alpha-hydroxysteroids in humans.

Androgens↗

Preclinical prediction of factors influencing the elimination of 5,6-dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid, a new anticancer drug.

The glucuronidation of 5,6-dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid (DMXAA), a newly developed anticancer drug, was investigated in vitro to determine factors likely to affect the elimination of this compound in patients. Human liver microsomal DMXAA glucuronidation followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics, with a mean apparent Km of approximately 100 microM. Two cDNA-expressed UGT isoforms, UGT1*02 and UGT2B7, had the capacity to glucuronidate DMXAA, although comparative kinetic and inhibitor studies were more consistent with a greater contribution of UGT2B7 to the human hepatic reaction. Microsomal DMXAA glucuronide formation was screened for inhibition by drugs known to be eliminated by glucuronidation. Of the drugs screened, significant inhibition was observed with diclofenac, epirubicin, indomethacin, R,S-ketoprofen, lorazepam, S-naproxen, oxazepam, and temazepam; apparent Ki values ranged from 9.5-318 microM. These values are substantially above unbound concentrations of the individual drugs achieved in vivo. DMXAA glucuronide was found to be unstable at physiological pH values, and the rate of degradation was marginally increased in the presence of albumin. Taken together, these data indicate that the kinetics of DMXAA glucuronidation in vivo are likely to be linear and unaffected by the coadministration of most glucuronidated drugs, but plasma DMXAA clearance may be decreased in patients with renal dysfunction. This study illustrates the utility of in vitro techniques for the prediction of potential drug interactions and other dispositional characteristics of newly developed anticancer drugs before their administration to patients.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

HNF1 alpha activates the rat UDP glucuronosyltransferase UGT2B1 gene promoter.

The rat UDP glucuronosyltransferase UGT2B1 is expressed mainly in the liver where it glucuronidates steroids and environmental toxins and carcinogens. A region between -42 and -55 bp upstream from the UGT2B1 gene transcription start site was previously identified as sharing sequence similarity with the hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 (HNF1) consensus binding site. In this study, the importance of this region in the regulation of the UGT2B1 gene was confirmed by functional and DNA binding assays. A minimal UGT2B1 gene promoter containing the putative HNF1 binding site was fused to the CAT reporter gene and transfected into HepG2 cells. Only low levels of CAT activity were detected. This activity was increased 50-fold when an HNF1 alpha expression vector was co-transfected with the UGT2B1 promoter CAT construct but was not altered when a HNF1 beta expression vector was used. A UGT2B1 promoter construct with the HNF1-like region deleted was not activated by either co-transfected HNF1 expression vector. DNase 1 footprinting and gel-shift analysis demonstrated that nuclear proteins present in both HepG2 cells and rat liver bind to the HNF1-like element. The presence of HNF1 alpha in these nuclear proteins that bind to the HNF1-like element was confirmed by supershift analysis with antisera to HNF1 alpha. Specific binding of nuclear proteins to the HNF1-like element was not seen in extracts from three cell lines derived from nonhepatic tissues. These data strongly suggest that the liver-enriched factor HNF1 alpha binds to, and activates, the UGT2B1 gene promoter

Animals↗

The UDP glycosyltransferase gene superfamily: recommended nomenclature update based on evolutionary divergence.

This review represents an update of the nomenclature system for the UDP glucuronosyltransferase gene superfamily, which is based on divergent evolution. Since the previous review in 1991, sequences of many related UDP glycosyltransferases from lower organisms have appeared in the database, which expand our database considerably. At latest count, in animals, yeast, plants and bacteria there are 110 distinct cDNAs/genes whose protein products all contain a characteristic 'signature sequence' and, thus, are regarded as members of the same superfamily. Comparison of a relatedness tree of proteins leads to the definition of 33 families. It should be emphasized that at least six cloned UDP-GlcNAc N-acetylglucosaminyltransferases are not sufficiently homologous to be included as members of this superfamily and may represent an example of convergent evolution. For naming each gene, it is recommended that the root symbol UGT for human (Ugt for mouse and Drosophila), denoting 'UDP glycosyltransferase,' be followed by an Arabic number representing the family, a letter designating the subfamily, and an Arabic numeral denoting the individual gene within the family or subfamily, e.g. 'human UGT2B4' and 'mouse Ugt2b5'. We recommend the name 'UDP glycosyltransferase' because many of the proteins do not preferentially use UDP glucuronic acid, or their nucleotide sugar preference is unknown. Whereas the gene is italicized, the corresponding cDNA, transcript, protein and enzyme activity should be written with upper-case letters and without italics, e.g. 'human or mouse UGT1A1.' The UGT1 gene (spanning > 500 kb) contains at least 12 promoters/first exons, which can be spliced and joined with common exons 2 through 5, leading to different N-terminal halves but identical C-terminal halves of the gene products; in this scheme each first exon is regarded as a distinct gene (e.g. UGT1A1, UGT1A2, ... UGT1A12). When an orthologous gene between species cannot be identified with certainty, as occurs in the UGT2B subfamily, sequential naming of the genes is being carried out chronologically as they become characterized. We suggest that the Human Gene Nomenclature Guidelines (http://www.gene.acl.ac.uk/nomenclature/guidelines.html++ +) be used for all species other than the mouse and Drosophila. Thirty published human UGT1A1 mutant alleles responsible for clinical hyperbilirubinemias are listed herein, and given numbers following an asterisk (e.g. UGT1A1*30) consistent with the Human Gene Nomenclature Guidelines. It is anticipated that this UGT gene nomenclature system will require updating on a regular basis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The role of glucuronidation in 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin resistance in vitro.

Although glucuronidation catalyzed by uridine 5'-diphosphoglucuronosyltransferase (UGT) is a major pathway of drug inactivation in humans, glucuronidation in malignant cells has received little attention as a cause of anti-cancer drug resistance. In this study, we tried to elucidate the role of SN-38 glucuronidation in the CPT-11-resistant human lung cancer cell line PC-7/CPT. PC-7/CPT cells possessed an increased activity to glucuronidate SN-38 compared to the parent cells, PC-7. Furthermore, sensitivity of PC-7/CPT cells to SN-38 was improved by inhibiting UGT activity. Western and northern blot analyses demonstrated that this increased activity was due to increased levels of UGT protein and mRNA. These results not only imply that upregulation of UGT activity in PC-7/CPT cells may contribute in part to SN-38 resistance, but also illustrate the important of drug metabolism within malignant cells themselves, as a cause of drug resistance.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

Structure and function of uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferases.

1. The uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) are a family of enzymes that catalyse the covalent addition of glucuronic acid to a wide range of lipophilic chemicals. They play a major role in the detoxification of many exogenous and endogenous compounds by generating products that are more polar and, thus, more readily excreted in bile or urine. 2. Inherited deficiencies in UGT forms are deleterious, as exemplified by the debilitating effects of hyperbilirubinaemia and neurotoxicity in subjects with mutations in the enzyme that converts bilirubin to its more polar glucuronide. 3. The UGT protein can be conceptually divided into two domains with the amino-terminal half of the protein demonstrating greater sequence divergence between isoforms. This region apparently determines aglycone specificity. The aglycone binding site is presumed to be a 'loose' fit, as many structurally diverse substrates can be bound by the same UGT isoform. The carboxyl-terminal half, which is more conserved in sequence between different isoforms, is believed to contain a binding site for the cosubstrate UDP glucuronic acid (UDPGA). 4. Uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase is localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and spans the membrane with a type I topology. The putative transmembrane domain is located near the carboxyl terminus of the protein such that only a small portion of the protein resides in the cytosol. This cytosolic tail is believed to contain an ER-targeting signal. The major portion of the protein is located in the ER lumen, including the proposed substrate-binding domains and the catalytic site. 5. The microsomal membrane impedes the access of UDPGA to the active site, resulting in latency of UGT activity in intact ER-derived microsomes. Active transport of UDPGA is believed to occur in hepatocytes, but the transport system has not been fully characterized. Uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase activity is also highly lipid dependent and the enzyme may contain regions of membrane association in addition to the transmembrane domain.

Animals↗

cDNA cloning and characterization of the human UDP glucuronosyltransferase, UGT1A3.

The cDNA encoding the UDP glucuronosyltransferase, UGT1A3, has been cloned and expressed in cell culture. The deduced amino acid sequence of the cDNA is 90% similar in sequence to that of a previously characterized form, UGT1A4 and to that of a third form, UGT1A5 whose function in unknown. UGT1A3, when expressed in COS cells has a relative molecular mass of 55 kDa and is active in the glucuronidation of estrone and 2-hydroxyestrone. Activity towards other polyhydroxylated estrogens including 4-hydroxyestrogen and estriol and its metabolites was not detected. UGT1A3 was also inactive towards androgens and their metabolites. The enzyme preferentially glucuronidated the N-hydroxy metabolite of 2-acetylaminofluorence and was more active towards the 6- and 12-hydroxylated metabolites of benzo[alpha]pyrene. RNA encoding UGT1A3 was detected in human liver and colon tissue.

Animals↗

Mutational analysis of the carboxy-terminal region of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 2B1.

UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) are membrane-bound glycoproteins that are resident in the endoplasmic reticulum with a type I topology. The roles of the membrane-spanning and membrane-proximal cytoplasmic domains in UGT activity were investigated. Site-directed and deletional mutagenesis techniques were used to generate truncated forms of the enzyme, forms with altered residues, or forms with heterologous tails appended to the carboxyl terminus. The presence of the transmembrane domain was a critical requirement for UGT activity whereas the cytoplasmic domain seemed to be a modulator of activity but was not essential. Truncation of the protein did not appear to lead to scavenging and degradation, although appending long heterologous tails to the cytoplasmic domain did seem to trigger proteolysis. Analysis of enzyme kinetic parameters and enzyme latency allowed us to discount substrate binding or substrate transport defects as the cause of ameliorated UGT activity in the mutants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

UDP glucuronosyltransferase in the cirrhotic rat liver.

In patients with cirrhosis, the elimination of drugs metabolized by glucuronidation is relatively preserved, in comparison with the metabolism of drugs by oxidation. This study explores this phenomenon at a molecular level. In cirrhotic rat livers the content of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) was examined by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting using three antibodies: (i) a polyclonal antibody directed against a broad number of UGT isoforms from both family 1 and family 2; (ii) a family 2-specific antibody; and a (iii) family 1-specific antibody. The steady state mRNA level of UGT of a family 2 isoform was also detected by northern blot analysis. The results demonstrate normal or increased UGT protein by immunohistochemistry and immunoblot in cirrhotic livers compared with controls. This was accompanied by increased steady state mRNA encoding the UGT isoform UGT2B1. In contrast, an isoform of cytochrome P450 (CYP2C11) was reduced markedly in both immunohistochemical staining and immunoblot analysis. These results suggest that in cirrhosis there is a comparative increase or at least a maintenance of UGT enzyme content and that this most likely occurs at a pretranslational level.

Animals↗

Steroid UDP glucuronosyltransferases: characterization and regulation.

Under normal physiological conditions, glucuronidation generally terminates the biological activities of steroids and leads to their elimination in the bile and urine. This process is postulated to play a role in homeostasis by regulating the intracellular steady-state levels of these effector ligands. Indeed, the duration of response to specific steroid signals may be partly determined by the capacity of the cell or tissue to eliminate the steroids as unreactive glucuronides. Under pathophysiological conditions or during steroid therapies, glucuronidation may sometimes result in the formation of more biologically active or toxic metabolites as exemplified by the steroid D ring glucuronides. The degree of toxicity or biological effect in the cell exposed to these steroids will also depend on its complement of UGTs. To investigate these processes in more detail, the steroid specificities and distribution of individual UGTs in various target organs require elucidation. In this review, our current knowledge of the steroid specificities of various rat and human UGTs is described and preliminary investigations on the mechanisms governing tissue specificity are presented.

Animals↗

Localization of uridine 5'-diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase in human liver injury.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pharmacokinetic studies in patients with cirrhosis have shown a decreased clearance of drugs metabolized by cytochrome P450, whereas drugs metabolized by glucuronidation frequently have a normal elimination. The mechanism for the apparent preservation of glucuronidation has not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of uridine 5'-diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) in human liver injuries. METHODS: UGT was measured by immunohistochemistry using a UGT polyclonal antibody, which was then compared with a representative isoform of cytochrome P450. Normal liver biopsy specimens (n = 8) and a spectrum of liver injury biopsy specimens (n = 47) were examined. RESULTS: Compared with normal liver, increased staining for UGT in remaining hepatocytes was seen in liver damaged by chronic alcohol abuse, but the most intense immunoreactivity was observed in remaining and regenerative hepatocytes in specimens with cirrhosis. Primary biliary cirrhosis showed diffusely increased immunoreactivity. Other nonmalignant groups showed an increased staining relative to chronicity of liver disease. In contrast, in all liver injuries, cytochrome P450 staining was reduced as compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic liver damage results in increased UGT in remaining viable hepatocytes. Mechanisms may operate in liver injury to preserve expression of UGT in functional hepatocytes, and this may explain the preservation of glucuronidation in cirrhosis.

Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases↗

Bile acid glucuronidation by rat liver microsomes and cDNA-expressed UDP-glucuronosyltransferases.

Four rat UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs), UGT2B1, UGT2B2, UGT2B3 and UGT2B6, synthesized in COS-7 cells from appropriate cDNA clones were screened for activity towards a range of bile acids, neutral steroids and retinoic acid. For comparison, as well as optimization of enzymatic assays and product identification, rat liver microsomal preparations from Sprague-Dawley, Fischer 344 and phenobarbital-induced Fischer 344 male rats were also used as enzyme sources. Only two of the expressed proteins, UGT2B1 and UGT2B2, were active in bile acid glucuronidation. UGT2B1 exhibited a high substrate specificity for the carboxyl function of bile acids, whereas UGT2B2 demonstrated less specificity, accepting both hydroxyl and carboxyl functions of bile acids. The preferred substrates for both cloned enzymes were mono-hydroxylated bile acids, followed by di-hydroxylated 6-OH compounds. The levels of UGT activity were sufficient to allow for the identification of the biosynthesized products. The data presented here demonstrate that bile acid glucuronidation is carried out, at least in part, by members of the UGT2B subfamily. Similar results have been obtained previously for neutral steroid glucuronidation. UGT2B3 and UGT2B6 was not involved in BA glucuronidation; none of the cloned enzymes was active toward retinoic acid.

Affinity Labels↗

cDNA cloning and expression of two new members of the human liver UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 2B subfamily.

Two new UDP-glucuronosyltransferase cDNAs, designated UGT2B10 and UGT2B11, encoding 528 amino acid proteins were isolated from a human liver cDNA library. The deduced amino acid sequences of UGTs 2B10 and 2B11 share > 76% sequence similarity with other known human liver UGT2B subfamily isoforms and < 48% sequence similarity with UGT1 family proteins. COS-7 cells transfected with UGT 2B10 and 2B11 synthesized proteins with respective molecular masses of 49kDa and 51kDa. UGT2B11 expressed in COS-7 cells glucuronidated a number of polyhydroxylated estrogens (estriol, 4-hydroxyestrone and 2-hydroxyestriol) and xenobiotics (4-methylumbelliferone, 1-naphthol, 4-nitrophenol, 2-aminophenol, 4-hydroxybiphenyl and menthol). Despite the screening of more than forty potential substrates, glucuronidation activity was not observed for expressed UGT2B10.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Glucuronidation of carcinogen metabolites by complementary DNA-expressed uridine 5'-diphosphate glucuronosyltransferases.

Five UDP glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) were synthesized from complementary DNAs expressed in COS 7 cells and were tested for their capacities to glucuronidate a range of 2-acetylaminofluorene and benzo(a)pyrene-hydroxylated metabolites. Three forms, UGT1*06, UGT2B1, and UGT2B2 [names of UGT forms follow recommended nomenclature (B. B. Burchell et al., DNA Cell Biol., 10: 487-494, 1991)], had similar capacities to glucuronidate the reactive metabolite, N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene. The less reactive 1-, 3-, 5-, and 8-hydroxy derivatives of this aromatic amine were glucuronidated by UGT1*06 and UGT2B2 to varying degrees, but these were not substrates of UGT2B1. The three isozymes also glucuronidated phenolic metabolites of benzo(a)pyrene. UGT1*06 was more active toward 2- and 5-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene, whereas UGT2B1 preferentially glucuronidated the 4- and 11-hydroxy derivatives and UGT2B2 preferentially glucuronidated the 1-, 2-, 8-, and 9-hydroxy metabolites. Two other UDP glucuronosyltransferases, UGT2B3 and UGT2B6, that glucuronidated testosterone when expressed in COS 7 cells were both inactive toward all the carcinogen metabolites tested. These results demonstrate that the glucuronidation of metabolites of 2-acetylaminofluorene and benzo(a)pyrene is mediated by at least three UDP glucuronosyltransferases and that each form glucuronidates a unique spectrum of metabolites.

2-Acetylaminofluorene↗

Site-directed mutation studies of human liver cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes in the CYP2C subfamily.

Evidence from human studies in vivo and in vitro strongly suggests that the methylhydroxylation of tolbutamide and the 4-hydroxylation of phenytoin, the major pathways in the elimination of these two drugs, are catalysed by the same cytochrome P-450 isoenzyme(s). In the present study we used site-directed mutagenesis and cDNA expression in COS cells to characterize in detail the kinetics of tolbutamide and phenytoin hydroxylations by seven CYP2C proteins (2C8, 2C9 and variants, and 2C10) in order to define the effects of small changes in amino acid sequences and the likely proteins responsible in the metabolism of these two drugs in man. Tolbutamide was hydroxylated to varying extents by all expressed cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes, although activity was much lower for the expressed 2C8 protein. While the apparent Km values for the 2C9/10 isoenzymes (71.6-131.7 microM) were comparable with the range of apparent Km values previously observed in human liver microsomes, the apparent Km for 2C8 (650.5 microM) was appreciably higher. The 2C8 enzyme also showed quite different sulphaphenazole inhibition characteristics. The 4-hydroxylation of phenytoin was also more efficiently catalysed by the 2C9/10 enzymes. These enzymes showed similarities in kinetics of phenytoin hydroxylation and sulphaphenazole inhibition compared with human liver phenytoin hydroxylase. Also of interest was the observation that, among the 2C9 variants, small differences in amino acid composition could appreciably affect both tolbutamide and phenytoin hydroxylations. The amino acid substitution Cys-144-->Arg increased both the rates of tolbutamide and phenytoin hydroxylations, while the Leu-359-->Ile change had a greater effect on phenytoin hydroxylation. We conclude that: (1) although 2C8 and 2C9/10 proteins metabolize tolbutamide. only 2C9/10 proteins play a major role in human liver; (2) 2C9/10 proteins also appear to be chiefly responsible for phenytoin hydroxylation; and (3) subtle differences in the amino acid composition of these 2C9/10 proteins can affect the functional specificities towards both tolbutamide and phenytoin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The glucuronidation of hydroxylated metabolites of benzo[a]pyrene and 2-acetylaminofluorene by cDNA-expressed human UDP-glucuronosyltransferases.

The capacity of four cDNA-expressed human liver UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT), UGT1*6, UGT2B7, UGT2B10 and UGT2B11, to glucuronidate hydroxylated metabolites of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) has been investigated. UGT1*6 and UGT2B7 glucuronidated a range of B[a]P and AAF metabolites with a degree of regiospecificity, although UGTs 2B10 and 2B11 were inactive towards all compounds screened. UGT2B7 glucuronidated the B[a]P trans 4,5- and 7,8-dihydrodiols and the 1-,2-,4-,5-,6-,8-,9- and 10-monophenols. In contrast, UGT1*6 lacked activity towards the dihydrodiols and metabolized a more limited range of monophenols, namely 4-,5-,8- and 12-hydroxyB[a]P. Both UGT2B7 and UGT1*6 glucuronidated N, 1-,3- and 8-hydroxyAAF, but 5-hydroxyAAF was metabolised only by UGT1*6. Neither enzyme glucuronidated 3-,7- and 11-hydroxyB[a]P and 7- and 9-hydroxyAAF, although these compounds were all metabolised by human liver microsomal UGTs. The results suggest that the relative content of UGT isoforms in a cell or tissue will be important for determining the extent to which a particular carcinogen/mutagen is deactivated.

2-Acetylaminofluorene↗

Complementary deoxyribonucleic acid cloning and expression of a human liver uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase glucuronidating carboxylic acid-containing drugs.

A cDNA clone, designated UGT2B7 variant, encoding a 529-amino acid human liver microsomal uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) was isolated from a lambda gt11 human liver cDNA library. UGT2B7 variant synthesized in COS-7 cells was screened for activity toward a range of clinically used drugs and other xenobiotics. The expressed enzyme glucuronidated several carboxylic acid-containing nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents including, in order of relative substrate activity, naproxen, ketoprofen, ibuprofen, fenoprofen, tiaprofenic acid, benoxprofen, zomepirac, diflunisal and indomethacin. Additionally, the stereoselectivity of ketoprofen, naproxen (S/R ratio approximately unity) and ibuprofen (S/R ratio 1.62) glucuronidation by the UGT2B7 variant was shown to differ. Two other carboxylic acid-containing drugs (clofibric acid and valproic acid) and a limited range of drugs containing an alcohol or phenolic functional group were also glucoronidated by expressed UGT2B7 variant. The deduced amino sequence of UGT2B7 variant was shown to differ only in one amino acid (tyrosine for histidine at position 268) from a previously published uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase cDNA, UGT2B7. Like the previously reported enzyme, this variant efficiently glucuronidated hyodeoxycholic acid, estriol, 4-hydroxyestrone and 2-hydroxyestriol. It is, therefore, apparent that UGT2B7 variant has the capacity to glucuronidate with a degree of specificity both endogenous compounds and xenobiotics. Preferred substrates for UGT2B7 variant include xenobiotic carboxylic acids, polyhydroxylated estrogens and hyodeoxycholic acid.

Animals↗