Volume 33, Issue 1

The carboxylesterase 1 gene ( CES1 ) encodes a hydrolase that metabolizes commonly used drugs. The CES1 -related pseudogene, carboxylesterase 1 pseudogene 1 ( CES1P1 ), has been implicated in gene exchange with CES1 and in the formation of hybrid genes including the carboxylesterase 1A2 gene ( CES1A2 ). Hence, the CES1 region is complex. Using in silico PCR and alignment, we assessed the specificity of PCR-assisted procedures for genotyping CES1 , CES1A2 and CES1P1 in studies identified in PubMed. We identified 33 such studies and excluded those that were not the first to use a procedure or lacked sequence information. After this 17 studies remained. Ten of these used haplotype-specific amplification, restriction enzyme treatment or amplicon sequencing, and included five that were predicted to lack specificity. All procedures for genotyping of single nucleotide polymorphisms in eight studies lacked specificity. One of these studies also used amplicon sequencing, thus being present in the group above. Some primers and their intended targets were mismatched. We provide experimental evidence that one of the procedures lacked specificity. Additionally, a complex pattern of segmental duplications in the CES1 region was revealed. In conclusion, many procedures for CES1 , CES1A2 and CES1P1 genotyping appear to lack specificity. Knowledge about the segmental duplications may improve the typing of these genes.

Hyaluronan is a ubiquitous high-molecular weight polymer of repeated disaccharides of glucuronic acid and N -acetylglucosamine. It is a membrane-bound, viscous material extruded into the extracellular matrix after being synthesized in the cytoplasm by hyaluronan synthases complex and a regulated degradation by a group of enzymes called hyaluronidases. Hyaluronan has varied biological roles on many vital organismal functions, such as cellular and tissue development, migration and repair after injury or inflammation and cancer genesis. Hyaluronan in the tissue microenvironment is regulated by its concentration as well as the chain length of the polysaccharide. Many functions of hyaluronan are mediated by specific receptors at the cellular level, though its general physiochemical properties facilitate and coordinate many organ functions as well as in development. These fundamental characteristics of hyaluronan are reviewed, focusing on human biological context.

Background: CYP2D6 is responsible for the metabolism of approximately 25% of all drugs. The expression of cytochrome P450 2D6 ( CYP2D6 ) is influenced by a combination of factors including polymorphisms in the CYP2D6 gene. Analysis of the CYP2D6 genotype is used to personalize the medication to a patient’s metabolism. Although many genotypes can be determined using standard genotype analysis, in some cases, an incomplete analysis is performed. The CYP2D6 genotype *1/*4 often occurs in combination with a multiplication of the CYP2D6 gene, and is reported as (*1/*4)xN. Accurate determination of the multiplied gene is essential to provide a phenotype prediction for these patients. Duplication of the *1 gene leads to an extensive metabolizer genotype whereas multiplication of the *4 gene would not lead to extra functional enzyme and therefore provides an intermediate metabolizer phenotype. Methods: Here, a technique is described in which the copy numbers of both the *4 and *1 genes are determined using quantitative PCR techniques. Results and conclusions: This technique provides a method to predict the patient’s CYP2D6 phenotype, and is therefore an important step toward personalized medicine.

Background Statin therapy used to lower cholesterol levels results in a substantial reduction in cardiovascular complications. Previous observations in different ethnic populations showed that rs2306283A>G, p.Asn130Asp and rs4149056T>C, p.Val174Ala in solute carrier organic anion transporter 1B1 ( SLCO1B1 ) gene encoding the organic transporter protein may be responsible for statin uptake, thus explaining the majority of statin-associated symptoms. In addition to the genetic component, vitamin D (vit D) deficiency is common in Saudi Arabia and worldwide and may cause muscle dysfunction and ache. The aim of the present study was first to reveal an effect of vit D, rs2306283A>G, and rs4149056T>C and related haplotypes on statin-associated myopathy (SAM) and then to investigate a possible interaction between low vit D levels and the above-mentioned variants. Methods The genomic DNA obtained from 50 individuals diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia was genotyped using light SNiP hybridization probes. Results Low vit D levels were associated with SAM (OR=3.6, p=0.03); however, CK levels, rs2306283A>G, and rs4149056T>C did not show any association. Interestingly, rs4149056T>C was interacting with vit D to influence SAM (p=0.02). Haplotype analysis showed that SLCO1B1 *1B and *15 were more prevalent in individuals with SAM (p=0.05). When stratified according to vit D levels, rs2306283A allele showed an increase in individuals having SAM along with low vit D (p=0.03). Conclusions Although preliminary, our results show an involvement of vit D and rs4149056T>C of SLCO1B1 in SAM.

Background: Antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel is recommended to reduce cardiovascular events in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD); however, clopidogrel efficacy has not been adequately studied in this patient population. Therefore, we aimed to determine the effects of cilostazol therapy on platelet reactivity among PAD patients on clopidogrel. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional pilot study of 46 Puerto Rican patients diagnosed with PAD. The cohort was divided based on use of clopidogrel and cilostazol (n=24) or clopidogrel alone (n=22). Platelet function was measured ex vivo using the VerifyNow P2Y12 assay. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples using the QIAamp DNA Blood Midi Kit, which was subjected to candidate variant genotyping ( CYP2C19 , ABCB1 , PON1 and P2RY12 ) using TaqMan quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays. All analyses were performed using SAS version 9.4 (SAS Institute). Results: Among all enrolled patients, 18 (39%) had high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR). The mean platelet reactivity was 207±53 (range, 78–325) with higher P2Y12 reaction units in the non-cilostazol group, 224±45 vs. 191±55 on the cilostazol group (p=0.03). No significant differences were observed in the clinical or genetic variables between the two groups. A multiple regression analysis determined that history of diabetes mellitus (p=0.03), use of cilostazol (p=0.03) and hematocrit (p=0.02) were independent predictors of platelet reactivity. Conclusions: In Puerto Rican PAD patients on clopidogrel therapy, history of diabetes mellitus, use of cilostazol and hematocrit are independent predictors of platelet reactivity. Adjunctive cilostazol therapy may enhance clopidogrel efficacy among PAD patients with HTPR.

Background: Thiopurine methyltransferase ( TPMT ) gene variants have achieved limited success in predicting the outcome of thiopurine therapy, which shows wide inter-individual variations. The literature indicates a strong association between the NUDT15 gene variant and thiopurine-induced toxicity in Asian patients. The present study intends to explore the role of the NUDT15 variant (C415T) in Indian patients on thiopurine therapy. Methods: NUDT15 and TPMT genotyping were performed using amplification-refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) and the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique. Results: Of 370 samples received for TPMT testing, 206 samples were available for NUDT15 genotyping. The NUDT15 risk allele frequency was 10.7%, with the frequency of wild, heterozygous and mutant genotypes being 80.6%, 17.5% and 1.9%, respectively. TPMT variants were seen in 13 of 370 (3.5%) patients, whereas the NUDT15 variant was seen in 40 of 206 (19.4%) patients. Thiopurine-induced toxicity information was available for 101 patients, among whom 10 developed leukopenia and all harbored the NUDT15 variant (p<0.0001). NUDT15 was clinically more relevant than TPMT in terms of sensitivity and specificity, as well as with a statistically significant difference in thiopurine dose requirement for patients with the NUDT15 variant. Conclusions: A preemptive NUDT15 genotyping approach can therefore help identify high-risk patients ( NUDT15 C415T positive) who could benefit from thiopurine dose reduction, thereby preventing fatal thiopurine-induced toxicity.