Sex hormones differentially regulate isoforms of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase.

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the role of sex hormones in the regulation of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT). METHODS: We examined liver from adult, prepubertal, gonadectomised and gonadectomised plus hormone replaced rats of both sexes. Immunohistochemistry and immunoblots were performed using a polyclonal UGT antibody to a number of family 1 and family 2 UGT isoforms. Northern blot analysis was performed utilising cDNA probes to family 1 and family 2 isoforms. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry demonstrated variations in intensity and distribution of staining in the hormonally manipulated rats. Immunoblots showed variations in individual band intensity between rat groups. Immunoblots using a more sp..