Immobilized glucuronosyltransferase for the synthesis of conjugates

Partially purified rabbit liver UDPglucuronosyltransferase is immobilized on agarose by the cyanogen bromide activation method. Both soluble and matrix-bound enzyme preparations display very similar Km and pH optimum. The storage stability of the immobilized enzyme at 4 degrees is 5-10 times improved over the soluble preparations. The agarose-bound UDPglucuronosyltransferase is successfully used in the synthesis of p-nitrophenyl glucuronide in an overall yield of 50-70%. The matrix-bound enzyme is reusable over an extended period of time and offers an easy and convenient synthetic tool for various drug glucuronides.