UDP-glycosyltransferase 3A2 (UGT3A2)

UDP-glycosyltransferase 3A2 (UGT3A2) is an enzyme of the glycosyltransferase superfamily involved in phase II biotransformation reactions. It facilitates the detoxification and excretion of lipophilic xenobiotics and endobiotics by catalyzing the transfer of glucose or xylose (but not glucuronic acid or N-acetylglucosamine) to diverse substrates, increasing their water solubility. UGT3A2 is most highly expressed in the thymus, testis, and kidney, with little to no expression in primary drug-metabolizing organs such as liver and gut, suggesting a selective protective role for these organs. Its broad substrate specificity and novel sugar donor utilization differentiate it from other UGT family members, and disease associations include rare metabolic disorders such as pentosuria and fusariosis.

Other names

UDP glucuronosyltransferase 3A2PSEC0073UNQ842/PRO1780UDPGT 3A2UDP glycosyltransferase 3 family, polypeptide A2

Drugs or compounds are conjugated through glycosylation—particularly using UDP-glucose or UDP-xylose as sugar donors, thus tagging them for increased solubility and elimination