Oligomerization of the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A proteins: homo- and heterodimerization analysis by fluorescence resonance energy transfer and co-immunoprecipitation

J Biol Chem. 2007 Feb 16;282(7):4821-4829. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M609417200. Epub 2006 Dec 19.

Abstract

UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) are membrane-bound proteins localized to the endoplasmic reticulum and catalyze the formation of beta-d-glucopyranosiduronic acids (glucuronides) using UDP-glucuronic acid and acceptor substrates such as drugs, steroids, bile acids, xenobiotics, and dietary nutrients. Recent biochemical evidence indicates that the UGT proteins may oligomerize in the membrane, but conclusive evidence is still lacking. In the present study, we have used fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to study UGT1A oligomerization in live cells. This technique demonstrated that UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A4, UGT1A6, UGT1A7, UGT1A8, UGT1A9, and UGT1A10 self-oligomerize (homodimerize). Heterodimer interactions were also explored, and it was determined that UGT1A1 was capable of binding with UGT1A3, UGT1A4, UGT1A6, UGT1A7, UGT1A8, UGT1A9, and UGT1A10. In addition to the in vivo FRET analysis, UGT1A protein-protein interactions were demonstrated through co-immunoprecipitation experiments. Co-expression of hemagglutinin-tagged and cyan fluorescent protein-tagged UGT1A proteins, followed by immunoprecipitation with anti-hemagglutinin beads, illustrated the potential of each UGT1A protein to homodimerize. Co-immunoprecipitation results also confirmed that UGT1A1 was capable of forming heterodimer complexes with all of the UGT1A proteins, corroborating the FRET results in live cells. These preliminary studies suggest that the UGT1A family of proteins form oligomerized complexes in the membrane, a property that may influence function and substrate selectivity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bile / metabolism
  • COS Cells
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / enzymology
  • Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer
  • Glucuronosyltransferase / chemistry*
  • Glucuronosyltransferase / genetics
  • Glucuronosyltransferase / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry*
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Quaternary
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Uridine Diphosphate Glucuronic Acid / metabolism

Substances

  • Membrane Proteins
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Uridine Diphosphate Glucuronic Acid
  • Glucuronosyltransferase