UDP-[UL-¹³C] Glucuronic Acid

UDP-[UL-¹³C] Glucuronic Acid is an isotopically labeled nucleotide sugar that is widely used in biochemical and metabolic studies. The “UL-¹³C” designation indicates that all carbon atoms in the glucuronic acid moiety are uniformly labeled with the carbon-13 (^13C) isotope. This labeling is particularly useful for tracing metabolic pathways, studying enzyme mechanisms, and investigating glycosylation processes.

Structure & Properties:

• Molecular Weight (MW): Approximately 586 g/mol (depending on the specific isotopic enrichment)
• Chemical Formula: ¹³C₆C₉H₂₂N₂Na₂O₁₈P₂ (approximate, considering ^13C substitution)
• Synonyms: UDP-^13C-glucuronic acid, UDP-[UL-^13C]GlcA
• Functional Groups: UDP-[UL-¹³C] Glucuronic Acid retains the same functional groups as natural UDP-glucuronic acid, including a uridine diphosphate (UDP) linked to a glucuronic acid molecule, with the glucuronic acid uniformly labeled with ^13C.

Biological Role:

• Biosynthesis Pathway: UDP-[UL-¹³C] Glucuronic Acid is synthesized either enzymatically or chemically, starting from ^13C-labeled glucose or glucuronic acid. It functions as a glycosyl donor in the biosynthesis of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), glycoproteins, and glycolipids.
• Function: This molecule is essential for the conjugation of glucuronic acid to various substrates, including toxins, hormones, and drugs, as part of the detoxification processes in the liver.

Applications:

• Metabolic Tracing: The ^13C label allows for the detailed tracing of glucuronic acid metabolism and its incorporation into various biomolecules using techniques such as NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) or mass spectrometry.
• Enzyme Mechanism Studies: UDP-[UL-¹³C] Glucuronic Acid is used to explore the catalytic mechanisms of enzymes involved in glucuronidation, a key detoxification pathway in the liver.
• Glycan Biosynthesis Research: It is used to study the biosynthesis and remodeling of glycans, particularly those involved in the extracellular matrix and cellular communication.

Significance in Research:

• Isotope-Enabled Research: The uniform ^13C labeling facilitates detailed studies on the dynamics of glucuronic acid metabolism, aiding in the understanding of its role in various biological processes.
• Structural Biology: ^13C-labeled UDP-glucuronic acid is valuable in NMR studies for elucidating the structure and function of enzymes and proteins involved in glycosylation.

Storage and Stability:

• Storage: Store at -20°C in a dry, moisture-free environment.
• Stability: The compound is stable under these storage conditions but may degrade if exposed to heat, moisture, or light.

Research Applications:

• Metabolomics: UDP-[UL-¹³C] Glucuronic Acid is a key tool in metabolomics for tracing the metabolic fate of glucuronic acid and understanding its role in detoxification and glycosylation processes.
• Biotechnological Applications: It is used in synthetic biology to engineer cells for the production of labeled glycans and other glucuronide-containing molecules with therapeutic and industrial relevance.

Potential Impact:

• Drug Metabolism Studies: The ability to trace the incorporation of glucuronic acid into drug metabolites can lead to improved understanding of drug metabolism and the development of safer pharmaceuticals.
• Metabolic Engineering: Insights gained from using UDP-[UL-¹³C] Glucuronic Acid can inform the design of engineered metabolic pathways in microbes or cells for the production of complex biopolymers.

Key Research Areas:

• Carbohydrate Metabolism: Investigating how cells utilize glucuronic acid in various metabolic pathways, with a focus on its role in detoxification and glycosylation.
• Glycomics: Studying the structure, function, and biosynthesis of glycans using labeled sugar nucleotides to uncover the complexities of glycosylation in health and disease.

Conclusion:

UDP-[UL-¹³C] Glucuronic Acid is a crucial research tool that enhances our understanding of carbohydrate metabolism, glycosylation, and detoxification processes. Its use in isotopic labeling and metabolic tracing is vital for advancing research in glycobiology, drug metabolism, and synthetic biology.