Characterizing the effect of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 2B7 and UGT1A9 genetic polymorphisms on enantioselective glucuronidation of flurbiprofen

Flurbiprofen (FPF), available commercially as a racemic mixture, is a propionic acid derivative of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with known stereoselective glucuronidation. The major enzyme catalyzing this conjugation reaction is UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 2B7, with minor contributions by UGT1A9. This study examines the role of the genetic variants of UGT2B7 and 1A9 enzymes involved in the formation of acyl glucuronides (FPFGs). Variants caused by three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (A71S, 211G>T; H268Y, 802C>T; and D398N, 1192G>A) in UGT2B7 and three SNPs (C3Y, 8G>A; M33T, 98T>C; D256N, 766G>A) in UGT1A9 showed activity changes toward different substrates. However the functional impacts of these SNPs on chiral substrates were not examined. Upon stable expression in Bac-to-Bac system, UGT2B7*71S (A⁷¹S), UGT2B7*2 (H²⁶⁸Y) and UGT2B7*5 (D³⁹⁸N) were all associated with a decrease in the formation of FPFGs. Compared with UGT2B7*1 (wild-type), UGT2B7*71S exhibited a >2-fold lower intrinsic clearance mainly by altered capacities (V_max). Furthermore, a >14-fold decreased intrinsic clearance of the *1 protein was produced by UGT2B7*2 and UGT2B7*5. However, no significantly stereoselective difference for the formation of (R)- and (S)-FPFG was found among these UGT2B7 allozymes. UGT1A9*2 (C³Y) exhibited a higher V_max (3.2-fold), K_m (2.1-fold) and intrinsic clearance (1.6-fold) toward (S)-FPF than UGT1A9*1 (wild-type). UGT1A9*3 (M³³T) almost lost the catalytic activity to FPF. A significantly stereoselective difference on the glucuronidation of rac-FPF was seen between the two variants compared with the wild type of UGT1A9.