The human UDP glucuronosyltransferase, UGT1A10, glucuronidates mycophenolic acid

The cDNA encoding the UDP glucuronosyltransferase, UGT1A10, has been cloned from human colon. The deduced amino acid sequence of the cDNA is 90% similar in sequence to that of a previously characterized form, UGT1A9 (Hlug P4), and contains a signal peptide and carboxyl-terminal hydrophobic domain characteristic of all UDP glucuronosyltransferases isolated to date. The enzyme synthesized in UGT1A10 cDNA-transfected COS-7 cells has a relative molecular mass of 56 kDa and is very active in the glucuronidation of mycophenolic acid (apparent Km of 34 microM and Vmax of 0.6 nmoles/min/mg protein). Other UGTs (UGT1A1, 1A3, 1A4, 1A6, 1A9, 2B7, 2B10 and 2B11) synthesized in COS cells had relatively little activity towards mycophenolic acid, suggesting that UGT1A10 may have a significant role in the elimination of this antineoplastic and immunosuppressive agent in vivo.