quercetin catabolic process

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The chemical reactions and pathways resulting in the breakdown of quercetin. [GOC:TermGenie, GOC:yaf, UniPathway:UPA00724]

Quercetin catabolism is a complex process that involves multiple enzymes and pathways, ultimately leading to the breakdown of this flavonoid into smaller, excretable metabolites. The process begins with the absorption of quercetin from the gut, which is then transported to various tissues in the body. Once inside the cell, quercetin undergoes various metabolic transformations through different enzymatic reactions.

One primary pathway involves the action of UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs), which conjugate quercetin with glucuronic acid. This conjugation increases quercetin's water solubility, facilitating its excretion in urine or bile. However, the process is not limited to glucuronidation.

Another significant pathway involves the action of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, particularly CYP3A4, which play a crucial role in quercetin metabolism. CYP3A4 catalyzes the oxidation of quercetin, resulting in the formation of several metabolites, including 3'-hydroxyquercetin, 4'-hydroxyquercetin, and quercetin-3-O-glucuronide.

Subsequently, these metabolites can undergo further modifications through conjugation with other molecules like sulfate or glutathione. These conjugations further enhance their water solubility and facilitate their excretion.

The specific catabolic pathways and the resulting metabolites can vary depending on factors such as species, individual genetic variations, and the presence of other compounds in the diet or environment.

Overall, the catabolism of quercetin is a dynamic process involving multiple enzymes and pathways, ultimately leading to the formation of various metabolites that are excreted from the body.'
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Proteins (1)

Compounds (6)