Glucuronidation

Glucuronidation (pronunciation: gloo-kuh-ron-i-dey-shuhn) is a major metabolic pathway that enhances the elimination of small lipophilic (fat-soluble) xenobiotics and endogenous compounds, such as bilirubin, steroids, and thyroid hormone by making them more water-soluble.

Etymology

The term "Glucuronidation" is derived from Glucuronic acid, a sugar acid derived from glucose, and the suffix "-idation" which indicates a process or action.

Process

Glucuronidation involves the addition of a glucuronic acid moiety to a substrate molecule, catalyzed by any of the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzymes. This process results in more polar (water-soluble) glucuronides which are then excreted in bile or urine.

Related Terms

Xenobiotics: Chemical substances that are not naturally produced or expected to be present within an organism.
Bilirubin: A yellow compound that occurs in the normal catabolic pathway that leads to the elimination of heme in vertebrates.
Steroids: A large class of organic compounds with a characteristic molecular structure containing four rings of carbon atoms.
Thyroid hormone: Any of the iodine-containing hormones produced in the thyroid gland and known for their role in metabolic processes.
Glucuronic acid: A uronic acid that was first isolated from urine. It is found in many gums such as gum arabic and xanthan, and is important for the metabolism of microorganisms, plants, and animals.
UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT): A cytosolic glycosyltransferase that catalyzes the transfer of the glucuronic acid component of UDP-glucuronic acid to a small hydrophobic molecule.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Glucuronidation
Wikipedia's article - Glucuronidation

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Glucuronidation