cDNA cloning and expression analysis of the human UDPglucose dehydrogenase

A cDNA clone encoding the human UDPglucose dehydrogenase was isolated from a liver cDNA library. The cDNA is 2,355 bp in length with an open reading frame which is capable of encoding a protein of 494 residues. The predicted primary sequence of the gene product is in good agreement with that of the bovine enzyme determined previously found by means of protein sequencing. Two major transcripts of the UDPglucose dehydrogenase gene with sizes of 2.8 and 2.35 kb, respectively, were observed by Northern analysis. The gene was found to be expressed in a variety of tissues with the highest level in liver, consistent with the physiological function of the enzyme in excretion of endo- and xenobiotics compounds.