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Updated: Jun 13, 2026

High-throughput Screening for Chemical Modulators of Post-transcriptionally Regulated Genes
Published on: March 3, 2015
Modulation of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity by endogenous compounds
Yuji Ishii1, Arief Nurrochmad, Hideyuki Yamada
1Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan. ishii@phar.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Fatty acyl-CoAs activate UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzymes, contrary to previous beliefs. Adenine and related compounds act as allosteric inhibitors, highlighting the importance of endogenous UGT modulators.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Metabolism studies
Background:
- Glucuronidation is a key metabolic pathway for endo- and xenobiotics, accounting for 35% of phase II reactions.
- UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) activity is influenced by gene regulation, post-translational modifications, and protein interactions.
- Research has primarily focused on xenobiotic inhibition of UGT, with limited understanding of endogenous compound roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review endogenous compounds that modulate UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) activity.
- To discuss the significance of these endogenous modulators in UGT function and regulation.
- To present recent findings on fatty acyl-CoAs as activators and adenine as an inhibitor of UGT.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on endogenous UGT modulators.
- Summary of recent laboratory findings on fatty acyl-CoAs and adenine compounds.
- Discussion of the implications of these findings for UGT function.
Main Results:
- Fatty acyl-CoAs have been identified as endogenous activators of UGT, challenging prior assumptions of inhibition.
- Adenine and related compounds are suggested to function as endogenous allosteric inhibitors of UGT.
- Endogenous compounds play a significant role in regulating UGT activity.
Conclusions:
- Endogenous compounds, including fatty acyl-CoAs and adenine derivatives, are critical regulators of UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) activity.
- Understanding these endogenous modulators is essential for comprehending UGT function and its role in metabolism.
- This review highlights novel insights into UGT regulation by endogenous substances.
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