Glucuronidation

Glucuronidation is an enzymatic conjugation reaction that attaches glucuronic acid to a compound. It often increases the compound’s water solubility and facilitates its excretion.

UDP-glucuronic acid: An activated form of glucuronic acid that supplies glucuronyl groups in biosynthetic reactions. It donates the glucuronic acid group transferred during the reaction.
Drug metabolism: The chemical modification of drugs by the body, affecting their activity, distribution, and elimination. Glucuronidation is a major pathway in the metabolism of many medicines.
Glucuronic acid: A sugar acid derived from glucose, with a carboxyl group at its sixth carbon. It is the chemical group transferred onto acceptor compounds.
Sulfation: An enzymatic reaction that transfers a sulfate group to a molecule. It is another conjugation pathway, often competing for the same substrates.
UDP-glucuronosyltransferase: A family of enzymes that transfers glucuronic acid from UDP-glucuronic acid to acceptor molecules. These enzymes catalyze glucuronide formation in cells.
Morphine: An opioid analgesic that relieves pain by activating opioid receptors. Its glucuronides differ substantially in analgesic activity and elimination.
Conjugation reaction: A reaction that joins two molecular groups, often creating a product with altered properties. Glucuronidation is a specific enzymatic conjugation reaction.
Glutathione conjugation: A detoxification reaction in which glutathione attaches to electrophilic compounds. It uses a different conjugating molecule and commonly targets reactive chemicals.
Glucuronide: A compound formed when glucuronic acid is linked to another molecule. It is the conjugated product of glucuronidation.
Paracetamol: An analgesic and fever-reducing medicine also known as acetaminophen. Glucuronidation is one of its principal routes of metabolism.

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