UGDH
Description
The UGDH (UDP-glucose 6-dehydrogenase) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 4.
UGDH (UDP-glucose 6-dehydrogenase) is a cytosolic enzyme encoded by the UGDH gene in humans. It converts UDP-glucose to UDP-glucuronate, a crucial step in the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans like hyaluronan, chondroitin sulfate, and heparan sulfate. These glycosylated molecules are essential components of the extracellular matrix and play roles in signaling, cell movement, and cancer development and spread. Expression of the UGDH gene is increased by transforming growth factor beta and reduced by low oxygen conditions. This enzyme is involved in several metabolic pathways: pentose and glucuronate interconversions, ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, and nucleotide sugars metabolism. Recent studies have linked UGDH deficiency to epileptic encephalopathy in humans. UGDH is classified as an oxidoreductase, specifically acting on the CH-OH group of the donor molecule using NAD+ or NADP+ as the acceptor. It is also known as 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.
UGDH catalyzes the production of UDP-alpha-D-glucuronate, a key component of complex glycosaminoglycans. This enzyme is essential for the synthesis of chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate, crucial molecules for embryonic development and proper brain and neuronal development. These functions are supported by extensive research (PubMed:21961565, PubMed:21502315, PubMed:23106432, PubMed:22123821, PubMed:25478983, PubMed:27966912, PubMed:30420606, PubMed:30457329, PubMed:32001716).
UGDH is also known as DEE84, EIEE84, GDH, UDP-GlcDH, UDPGDH, UGD.
