UDP glucuronosyltransferases as regulators of signaling pathways modulated by chemical ligands.

细胞通过将在细胞表面接收的信息传递到细胞核来对其周围环境做出反应，从而导致基因表达的变化。有许多信号通路将这种信息传递到细胞核。其中一些途径是由小分子控制的，通常是脂溶性化学物质。UDP葡萄糖醛酸基转移酶（UGT）作为一个酶家族，已经进化到消除脂溶性化学物质，我们提出UGT在调节参与信号传导的脂溶性化学物质的浓度中起关键作用，因此在控制基因表达中是重要的。我们打算在这个项目中UGT的这种新的作用提供证据。这些信息将用于改变细胞对其环境的反应。例如，帮助保护细胞免受环境毒素的影响，或使癌细胞对化疗剂更敏感。

Cells respond to their surroundings by transferring information received at the cell surface to the nucleus leading to changes in gene expression. There are many signaling pathways which transfer this informatrion to the nucleus. Some of these pathways are controlled by small molecules, usually fat-soluble chemicals. As a family of enzymes, the UDP glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) have evolved to eliminate fat-soluble chemicals, we propose that UGTs play a pivotal role in regulating the concentrations of fat-soluble chemicals involved in signaling, and thus are important in controlling gene expression. We intend to provide evidence for this novel role of UGTs in this project. This information will be used to alter the response of the cell to its environment. For example, to help protect the cell against environmental toxins, or to make a cancer cell more susceptible to a chemotherapeutic agent.