The conjugation of alcohols containing nonpolar groups (for example, phenol) to glucuronic acids is a key process by which these alcohols can be transformed into, and excreted as, water-soluble derivatives called glucuronides in phase II metabolism. These conjugation reactions involve the reaction of UDP-glucuronic acid and the alcohol catalyzed by a family of enzymes called UDP-glucuronyl transferases. (See Fig. P25.33.)

What would you expect to find as key catalytic features in the active sites of these enzymes?

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HO HO- O CH₂ Figure P25.33 OH O O UDP-glucuronic acid O HO O OH NH +HO- phenol HO HO CH₂ UDP-glucuronyl transferase OH phenyl 3-D-glucuronide + UDP