glükuroonhappe

Glükuroonhape is a uronic acid, which is a type of carbohydrate where the terminal alcohol group has been oxidized to a carboxylic acid. Specifically, it is derived from glucose. In biological systems, glükuroonhape plays a crucial role in detoxification processes. It is a key component in glucuronidation, a metabolic pathway where molecules, particularly toxins, drugs, and endogenous substances like bilirubin and steroid hormones, are conjugated with glucuronic acid. This conjugation increases their water solubility, making them easier to excrete from the body, primarily through urine or bile. The enzyme responsible for this process is UDP-glucuronosyltransferase. Glükuroonhape can also be found as a structural component in some polysaccharides, such as glycosaminoglycans, which are important for the extracellular matrix of connective tissues. Its presence contributes to the unique properties of these complex carbohydrates.