[Review on gene polymorphisms of UDP-glucuronosyltransferases and genetic susceptibility of cancer]

Abstract

UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) are important phase II metabolizing enzymes that catalyse the glucuronidation of numerous endobiotics and xenobiotics. Several human hepatic and extrahepatic UGT isozymes have been characterized with respect to their substrate specificity, tissue expression and gene structure. Genetic polymorphisms have been identified for almost all the UGT family members. Some Polymorphisms of UGT gene had an effect on the activity of UGT enzymes, then influenced the glucuronidation against cancer-related substrates, ultimately affected the genetic toxicity and carcinogenesis induced by cancer-related substrates. Numerous studies reported that polymorphisms of UGT gene were associated with the risk of several kinds of cancer, such as colorectal cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, proximal digestive tract cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma and prostate cancer. This review examines in detail each UGT isozyme known to be associated with cancer.