UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A1 is the sole enzyme that can metabolize bilirubin. Human infants physiologically develop hyperbilirubinemia as the result of inadequate expression of UGT1A1 in the liver. Although phototherapy using blue light is effective in preventing jaundice, sunlight has also been suggested, but without conclusive evidence, to reduce serum bilirubin levels. We investigated the mRNA expression pattern of human UGT1A1 in human skin, human skin keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells, and skin of humanized UGT1 mice. The effects of UVB irradiation on the expression of UGT1A1 in the HaCaT cells were also examined. Multiple UGT1A isoforms, including UGT1A1, were expressed in human skin and HaCaT cells. When HaCaT cells were treated with UVB-exposed tryptophan, UGT1A1 mRNA and activity were significantly induced. Treatment of the HaCaT cells with 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole, which is one of the tryptophan derivatives formed by UVB, resulted in an induction of UGT1A1 mRNA and activity. In neonates, the expression of UGT1A1 was greater in the skin; in adults, UGT1A1 was expressed mainly in the liver. Treatment of humanized UGT1 mice with UVB resulted in a reduction of serum bilirubin levels, along with increased UGT1A1 expression and activity in the skin. Our data revealed a protective role of UGT1A1 expressed in the skin against neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Sunlight, a natural and free source of light, makes it possible to treat neonatal jaundice while allowing mothers to breast-feed neonates.

Uridine 5′-diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) are phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes that catalyze glucuronidation of various endogenous and exogenous substrates. Among 19 functional human UGTs, UGT1A family enzymes largely contribute to the metabolism of clinically used drugs. While the UGT1A locus is conserved in mammals such as humans, mice, and rats, species differences in drug glucuronidation have been reported. Recently, humanized UGT1 mice in which the original Ugt1 locus was disrupted and replaced with the human UGT1 locus (hUGT1 mice) have been developed. To evaluate the usefulness of hUGT1 mice to predict human glucuronidation of drugs, UGT activities, and inhibitory effects on UGTs were examined in liver microsomes of hUGT1 mice as well as in those of wild-type mice and humans. Furosemide acyl-glucuronidation was sigmoidal and best fitted to the Hill equation in hUGT1 mice and human liver microsomes, while it was fitted to the substrate inhibition equation in mouse liver microsomes. Kinetic parameters of furosemide glucuronidation were very similar between hUGT1 mice and human liver microsomes. The kinetics of S-naproxen acyl-glucuronidation and inhibitory effects of compounds on furosemide glucuronidation in hUGT1 liver microsomes were also slightly, but similar to those in human liver microsomes, rather than in wild-type mice. While wild-type mice lack imipramine and trifluoperazine N-glucuronidation potential, hUGT1 mice showed comparable N-glucuronidation activity to that of humans. Our data indicate that hUGT1 mice are promising tools to predict not only in vivo human drug glucuronidation but also potential drug-drug interactions.

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Summary UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) catalyze glucuronidation of endogenous and exogenous compounds by transferring the glucuronic acid moiety of UDP-glucuronic acid to the substrates. While glucuronides are usually pharmacologically inactive, certain types of glucuronides, especially acyl-glucuronide, can exhibit the increased reactivity compared to the parent compounds. Trovafloxacin is an antibiotic that was withdrawn from the market relatively soon after its release due to the risk of hepatotoxicity. Trovafloxacin was mainly metabolized to its acyl-glucuronide; therefore, it was hypothesized that the acyl-glucuronide was involved in the development of hepatotoxicity. To investigate whether trovafloxacin acyl-glucuronide can be involved in the trovafloxacin-induced liver injury, in the present study, a cell-based UGT1A1-induced model was developed and the toxicity of trovafloxacin acyl-glucuronide was evaluated. The UGT1A1-induced cell model was developed by treating HepG2 cells with chrysin for 48 hours. We demonstrated for the first time that chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 2, a cytokine involved in drug-induced liver injury, was uniquely induced by trovafloxacin in the UGT1A1-induced HepG2 cells. While there are reports showing the less toxicity of acyl-glucuronides, certain kinds of acyl-glucuronide, including trovafloxacin acyl-glucuronide, can be associated with the development of toxic reactions in vitro and in vivo.