Conjugation reactions Flashcards
General points of conjugation reactions?
- functional group required for conjugation
- conjugation molecules are endogenous compounds
- resulting conjugates are extremely polar and usually terminal metabolites
How are conjugates excreted?
Biliary and renal excretion, facilitated by efflux transporters
Approx pKa of resulting conjugates?
< 3
What are the two types of conjugation reactions?
- direct conjugation of the drug (often parallel to CYP metabolism, e.g. diclofenac, propofol
- conjugation of drug metabolites
What functional groups can glucuronidation occur at?
-OH, -COOH, -NH2
What types of conjugation can occur at -OH groups?
glucuronidation or sulphation
What types of conjugation can occur at -COOH groups?
glucuronidation or glycine conjugation
What types of conjugation can occur at -NH2 groups?
glucuronidation or acetylation
Pathways of midazolam metabolism?
hydroxylation (aliphatic or aromatic) - CYP mediated. can then be glucuronidated
alternatively - N-glucuronidation
Pathways of naloxone metabolism?
Glucuronidation of -OH
What are the two steps of conjugation reactions?
- Activation step
2. Synthetic step
What happens in the first step of conjugation?
activation of the conjugating agent (glucuronides, sulphation or acetyl conjugates) or the drug (amino acid conjugates)
complex and involves intermediary metabolism
What happens in the second step of conjugation?
simple - transferase enzymes involved
activated co-enzyme (or drug) combined with the drug (or co-substrate) to form the conjugate
What does UGT stand for?
UDP-glucuronosyltransferases
Where are in the cell are UGTs located?
luminal side of endoplasmic reticulum (different to CYP450s as not membrane bound)
Function of UGTs?
glycoproteins that catalyse the addition of glucuronic acid to a substrate
How many human UGTs are there?
22
Which UGT subfamilies are the most relevant?
1A and 2B
Where in the body are UGTs located?
predominantly liver, but also intestine and kidneys