title: [UDP-glucuronosyltransferase].
abstract: UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) represent a family of enzymes that glucuronidate many internal substances and drugs. This family acts as a drug metabolism phase II reactor in the liver and comprises one of the major protective mechanisms from toxic chemical substances. UGTs have two subfamilies; UGT1 and UGT2. UGT1 gene expresses 12 isoforms which are produced from a single gene by alternative splicing of a primary transcript. Each isoform has specific substrates. UGT1A1 conjugates bilirubin, and mutations of the gene cause hereditary unconjugated hyperbilirubinemias (Crigler-Najjar syndrome and Gilbert's syndrome). Recently, polymorphisms of UGT1A1 were revealed. In the Japanese population, there is a polymorphism of G71R and this mutation is a risk factor of neonatal hyperbiliruibnemia and a genetic cause of breast milk jaundice. These polymorphisms of UGTs might contribute to individual variations of drug metabolism and toxicity as well as inherited diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Biology Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan. maruo@belle.shiga-med.ac.jp
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Maruo
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sato
mesh_terms: D014453:Glucuronosyltransferase / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006932:Hyperbilirubinemia / Q000201:enzymology; D000099148:UGT1A1 Enzyme
chemical_list: D014453:Glucuronosyltransferase; D000099148:UGT1A1 Enzyme