UGT

UGT is a type of catabolic enzyme that belongs to the family of detoxification enzymes. UGT consists of two subfamilies, UGT1 and UGT2. UGT1 consists of 5 exons and has a unique gene structure. There are thirteen exon 1s from UGT1A1 to UGT1A13P, and exon 2 to exon 5 are used in common for all mRNAs expressed from the gene. Each isoform of UGT1 results from differential splicing of exon1s to common exon 2-5, and has an unique spectrum of substrate specificity. In contrast, the genes of the UGT2 family consist of 6 exons, and all the enzymes have an individual set of exon 1 to exon 6. UGT involves in the detoxification and excretion of many xenobiotic and endogeneous substances in intrahepatic and extrahepatic tissues. The mutations of UGT1A1 cause hereditary unconjugated hyperbilirubinemias: Crigler-Najjar syndrome type I, type II and Gilbert syndrome.