Process for Producing a Glucuronides and Genetically Modified Microorganism Useful in this Process

Uridine diphosphate glucuronyltransferase (UGT) in Streptomyces chromofuscus can be used to prepare different polyphenol glucuronides to effectively increase water solubility and bioavailability of drugs. This enzyme has broad substrate specificity, and thus can be applied to diverse bioactive molecules.

Problem

Natural products have many biological activities and thus have wide applications in both pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. However, their health benefits are often limited by their poor water solubility and low bioavailability. This technology can significantly increase the water solubility, bioavailability, and biological activities of bioactive molecules.

Solution

The enzyme in this technology can transfer the glucuronic acid moiety to various bioactive molecules, making it a powerful tool in medical scenarios to increase bioavailability. This technology can be used to prepare desired glucuronides through either in vivo or in vitro reactions.

Benefits

This technology will allow efficiency and cost-effective preparation of glucuronides of bioactive molecules. The water-soluble products may have enhanced bioactivity and bioavailability, which can find wide applications in drug discovery, cosmetics, food additives, etc.

Applications

This technology provides a convenient method to conduct small- or large-scale preparation of water-soluble, or more bioactive derivatives of target molecules.

Contact

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Questions about this technology including licensing availability can be directed to:

Christian S. Iverson, MBA
Executive Director, Technology Transfer Services
(435) 797-9620
christian.iverson@usu.edu

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USU ID C21014