GLUCURONIDASE

(Redirected from Beta-glucuronidase)

'Glucuronidases' are glycoside hydrolases that cleave glucuronic acid glycosides (glucuronides). Human glucuronidase is a lysosomal glycosidase, and hydrolyzes glucuronide moieties from proteins. Glucuronidase exhibits both endo-glycosidase and exo-glycosidase activities, meaning that it can cleave monosaccharides from the middle of a chain or from the end.
In eukaryotes, glucuronidase is located in the lysosome and plays an important role in recycling cellular components.

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Function as reporter gene

Pathology

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Function as reporter gene

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.
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 it.

Pathology

A deficiency is associated with Sly syndrome.

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