Glucuronic Acid Epimerase (GLCE)

Heparan sulfate (HS) is a negatively charged cell surface polysaccharide required for the biologic activities of circulating extracellular ligands. GLCE is responsible for epimerization of D-glucuronic acid (GlcA) to L-iduronic acid (IdoA) of HS, which endows the nascent polysaccharide chain with the ability to bind growth factors and cytokines.

The transcript contains a repetitive element in its 3-prime UTR. The deduced 609-amino acid protein shares 98.9% identity with bovine C5-glucuronyl epimerase over 444 amino acids. RT-PCR ELISA detected ubiquitous GLCE expression, with highest levels in ovary and brain. Within brain, expression was highest in amygdala, cerebellum, and subthalamic nucleus.