Xenobiotic metabolism in Australian marsupials
I. Stupans, B. Jones, R.A.McKinnon
Centre for Pharmaceutical Research,School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
ABSTRACT
The Australian marsupials are significant and unique Australian fauna. Xenobiotic metabolism is the process of enzymatic modification of xenobiotics, which include the chemicals, such as agricultural chemicals and natural dietary toxins, that these animals may be exposed to. Very little is known about the enzymes involved in xenobiotic metabolism in this unique group of animals. Folivore marsupials such as the koala Phascolarctos cinereus and the brushtail possum (Trichosurus uvlpecula) represent unique adaptation which has only been relatively superficially examined to date. We provide an overview of our current knowledge of marsupial xenobiotic matabolism.