UGT1A8

UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1-8 is an is_associated_with::enzyme that in humans is encoded by the UGT1A8 is_associated_with::gene.

Function
This gene encodes a is_associated_with::UDP-glucuronosyltransferase, an is_associated_with::enzyme of the is_associated_with::glucuronidation pathway that transforms small is_associated_with::lipophilic molecules, such as is_associated_with::steroids, is_associated_with::bilirubin, hormones, and drugs, into water-soluble, excretable is_associated_with::metabolites. This gene is part of a complex locus that encodes several UDP-glucuronosyltransferases. The locus includes thirteen unique alternate first is_associated_with::exons followed by four common exons. Four of the alternate first exons are considered pseudogenes. Each of the remaining nine 5′ exons may be spliced to the four common exons, resulting in nine proteins with different N-termini and identical C-termini. Each first exon encodes the substrate binding site, and is regulated by its own promoter. The enzyme encoded by this gene has glucuronidase activity with many substrates including is_associated_with::coumarins, is_associated_with::phenols, is_associated_with::anthraquinones, is_associated_with::flavones, and some is_associated_with::opioids.