UDP-glucose 6-dehydrogenase

UDP-glucose 6-dehydrogenase is a cytosolic is_associated_with::enzyme that in humans is encoded by the UGDH is_associated_with::gene.

The protein encoded by this gene converts UDP-glucose to UDP-glucuronate and thereby participates in the biosynthesis of glycosaminoglycans such as hyaluronan, chondroitin sulfate, and heparan sulfate. These glycosylated compounds are common components of the extracellular matrix and likely play roles in signal transduction, cell migration, and cancer growth and metastasis. The expression of this gene is up-regulated by transforming growth factor beta and down-regulated by hypoxia.

This enzyme participates in 4 metabolic pathways: is_associated_with::pentose and glucuronate interconversions, is_associated_with::ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, is_associated_with::starch and sucrose metabolism, and is_associated_with::nucleotide sugars metabolism.

Nomenclature
This enzyme belongs to the family of is_associated_with::oxidoreductases, specifically those acting on the CH-OH group of donor with NAD+ or NADP+ as acceptor. The systematic name of this enzyme class is UDP-glucose:NAD+ 6-oxidoreductase.

Other names in common use include:
 * UDP-glucose dehydrogenase,
 * uridine diphosphoglucose dehydrogenase,
 * UDPG dehydrogenase,
 * UDPG:NAD oxidoreductase,
 * UDP-alpha-D-glucose:NAD oxidoreductase,
 * UDP-glucose:NAD+ oxidoreductase,
 * uridine diphosphate glucose dehydrogenase,
 * UDP-D-glucose dehydrogenase, and
 * uridine diphosphate D-glucose dehydrogenase.

Biochemistry
In is_associated_with::enzymology, a UDP-glucose 6-dehydrogenase is an is_associated_with::enzyme that catalyzes the is_associated_with::chemical reaction


 * UDP-glucose + 2 NAD+ + H2O $$\rightleftharpoons$$ UDP-glucuronate + 2 NADH + 2 H+

The 3 substrates of this enzyme are is_associated_with::UDP-glucose, NAD+, and H2O, whereas its 3 products are is_associated_with::UDP-glucuronate, NADH, and H+

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