View source for Glucuronidase

{{protein
|Name= [[GUSB|glucuronidase, beta]]
|caption=
|image=
|width=
|HGNCid=4696
|Symbol=[[GUSB]]
|AltSymbols=
|EntrezGene=2990
|OMIM=253220
|RefSeq=NM_000181
|UniProt=P08236
|PDB=
|ECnumber=3.2.1.31
|Chromosome=7
|Arm=q
|Band=22
|LocusSupplementaryData=
}}

{{CMG}}



'''Glucuronidases''' are [[enzyme]]s that separate [[glucoronic acid]] molecules from other molecules by cutting [[glycosidic bond]]s. They are thus classified as [[glycoside hydrolase]]s that cleave [[glucuronides]].

In [[eukaryote]]s, glucuronidase is located in [[lysosome]]s and plays an important role in recycling cellular components by cleaving glucuronide moieties from [[protein]]s.  Glucuronidase exhibits both endo-[[glycosidase]] and exo-[[glycosidase]] activities, meaning that it can cleave [[monosaccharide]]s from the middle of a chain or from the end.

Preparations of beta-glucuronidase from the snail ''[[Helix pomatia]]'' are commercially available and referred to by the trademark ''Glusulase''. These enzymes preparations are used to digest the [[ascus]] of the [[yeast]] ''[[Saccharomyces cerevisiae]]'' after [[sporulation]].

''[[E. coli]]'' is among the few bacteria that can synthezise glucuronidase, and this trait is commonly used to identify the bacterium.

==Pathology==
[[Sly syndrome]] is an inherited disease in which a genetic defect leads to a deficiency in glucuronidase. This results in numerous symptoms because of the accumulation of complex carbohydrates in many tissues and organs of the body.

==Use as reporter gene==
In [[molecular biology]], beta-glucuronidase is used as a [[reporter gene]] to monitor [[gene expression]]. Monitoring glucuronidase activity using a so-called [[GUS assay]] allows determination of the spatial and temporal expression of the gene being monitored. The beta-glucuronidase enzyme transforms certain [[substrate (biology)|substrates]] into colored or [[fluorescence|fluorescent]] products which can then be observed and measured.

==External links==
* {{MeshName|Glucuronidase}}
*[http://www.reportergene.com/search/label/other%20reporters Updated research on reporter glucuronidase] and other reporters from Reportergene

{{Glycoside hydrolases}}
{{Glycosaminoglycan catabolism}}
[[Category:EC 3.2.1]]

[[de:Glucuronidase]]
[[fr:Glucuronidase]]
[[ja:Β-グルクロニダーゼ]]

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