Identification of polymorphisms in the 3'-untranslated region of the human pregnane X receptor (PXR) gene associated with variability in cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) metabolism

Xenobiotica. 2010 Feb;40(2):146-62. doi: 10.3109/00498250903420243.

Abstract

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) of the human pregnane X receptor (PXR) gene might contribute to interindividual variability in cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) activity. Genotype-phenotype associations involving PXR-3'UTR single nucleotide polymorphisms were investigated through in vitro (53 human livers from primarily White donors) and in vivo (26 mainly White or African-American volunteers) studies using midazolam 1'-hydroxylation and midazolam apparent oral clearance (CL/F), respectively, as CYP3A-specific probes. PXR-3'UTR resequencing identified twelve single nucleotide polymorphisms, including two that were novel. Although none of the single nucleotide polymorphisms evaluated were associated with altered midazolam 1'-hydroxylation in the liver bank, both rs3732359 homozygotes and rs3732360 carriers showed 80% higher (p < 0.05) CL/F compared with homozygous reference individuals. These differences in CL/F were even larger (100% and 120% higher, respectively; p < 0.01) when only African-American subjects (n = 14) were considered. Five major haplotypes were identified containing the PXR-3'UTR single nucleotide polymorphisms and previously identified intron single nucleotide polymorphisms. Although CL/F differences were not statistically significant within the entire study cohort, African-American carriers of Haplotype-1 (which includes both rs3732359 and rs3732360 variants) exhibited 70% higher median CL/F compared with African-American non-carriers (p = 0.036). The results identify rs3732359 and rs3732360 as PXR-3'UTR single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with higher CYP3A activity in vivo in African-Americans.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Adult
  • Black or African American / genetics
  • Cell Line
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Genotype
  • Haplotypes
  • Humans
  • Linkage Disequilibrium
  • Luciferases / genetics
  • Luciferases / metabolism
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phenotype
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Pregnane X Receptor
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Receptors, Steroid / genetics*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Pregnane X Receptor
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Steroid
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System
  • Luciferases
  • CYP3A protein, human
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A