The enzyme acts on D-glucosyluronate residues in N-sulfated heparosan polymers, converting them to L-iduronate, thus modifying the polymer to heparan-N-sulfate. The enzyme requires that at least the N-acetylglucosamine residue linked to C-4 of the substrate has been deacetylated and N-sulfated, and activity is highest with fully N-sulfated substrate. It does not act on glucuronate residues that are O-sulfated or are adjacent to N-acetylglucosamine residues that are O-sulfated at the 6 position. Thus the epimerization from D-glucuronate to L-iduronate occurs after N-sulfation of glucosamine residues but before O-sulfation. Not identical with EC 5.1.3.19 chondroitin-glucuronate 5-epimerase or with EC 5.1.3.36, heparosan-glucuronate 5-epimerase.
Hagner-McWhirter A, Hannesson HH, Campbell P, Westley J, Roden L, Lindahl U, Li JP
Title
Biosynthesis of heparin/heparan sulfate: kinetic studies of the glucuronyl C5-epimerase with N-sulfated derivatives of the Escherichia coli K5 capsular polysaccharide as substrates.