Differences in UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activities in congenic inbred rats homozygous and heterozygous for the jaundice locus

Biochem Pharmacol. 1983 Dec 15;32(24):3777-81. doi: 10.1016/0006-2952(83)90149-1.

Abstract

The genic transfer of the jaundice locus (jj) from the Gunn rat into the inbred RHA/++ rat produced congenic inbred homozygous RHA/jj rats which lacked detectable bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity. Congenic inbred RHA/j+ rats contained half the activity for bilirubin of the RHA/++ strain. Constitutive activities for glucuronidation of sixteen substrates of twenty-one tested were inherited additively. Approximately seven groups were discernible based on the defect in activity for these substrates in the RHA/jj strain. Activity for 1-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene was, after that for bilirubin, the most severely reduced (188-fold), while no differences in the glucuronidation of three androgens and of the 6-hydroxy-, 10-hydroxy-, and 11-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrenes were observed. The conjugation of other substrates was affected to an intermediate extent. Most of the twenty-one glucuronidating activities were induced by phenobarbital in the RHA/jj strain as well as in the RHA/++ and RHA/j+ strains. Activities for 9-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene and for the 2-hydroxy- and 4-hydroxybiphenyls were induced such that the defect was overcome, and the RHA/jj had the same level of activity as the RHA/++ strain. Cytochrome p-450 content and cytochrome c reductase and aminopyrine demethylase activities were unaffected in the congenic strains. Cytochrome p-450 content and cytochrome c reductase activity were induced approximately 2.5- and 2.0-fold, respectively, by phenobarbital while aminopyrine demethylase activity was induced about 30% in each strain. The congenic inbred rats should provide a stable and reproducible genetic model for studying defective UDP-glucuronosyltransferase specified by the jaundice (jj) locus.

MeSH terms

  • Aminopyrine N-Demethylase / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / metabolism
  • Glucuronosyltransferase / genetics
  • Glucuronosyltransferase / metabolism*
  • Heterozygote
  • Homozygote
  • Jaundice / enzymology*
  • Jaundice / genetics
  • Male
  • Microsomes, Liver / enzymology
  • NADH Dehydrogenase / metabolism
  • Phenotype
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains

Substances

  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System
  • Aminopyrine N-Demethylase
  • NADH Dehydrogenase
  • Glucuronosyltransferase