Single nucleotide polymorphisms of the serotonin transporter gene in migraine--an association study.

We report a case-control study with 251 unrelated migraine patients and 192 unrelated healthy controls to evaluate an association between the polymorphisms of the 5-HT transporter (5-HTT) gene rs2066713 and rs1979572 and different migraine phenotypes. We found a genetic association for the A allele of rs1979572 for migraine with aura (MA) especially in women as well as a significant lower prevalence for MA for carrier of the A allele of rs2066713 in women. These findings support previous results suggesting that the 5-HTT gene is involved in the polygenic etiology of MA. These data further suggest that women are more likely to be clinically affected by mutations in the 5-HTT gene than men.

Genomic variations and transcriptional regulation of the human mu-opioid receptor gene.

The mu-opioid receptor (MOR1) is a target of endogenous and exogenous opioids and plays a pivotal role for anesthesia and analgesia. Variations in the 5' flanking sequence of the mu-opioid receptor gene may influence transcriptional regulation and ultimately alter protein expression of MOR1. In the present study we investigated the influence of eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) within the mu-opioid receptor promoter on promoter activity and evaluated the frequencies of the relevant SNPs in 700 patients under opioid medication. Reporter-gene-constructs were created by means of PCR and site directed mutagenesis, testing eight SNPs previously described. The neuroblastoma cell line SHSY5Y was used for transfection and promoter activity was estimated by luciferase activity. Of the eight reporter gene constructs employed to test genomic variations, two produced a significant change in luciferase activity when compared to wild-type constructs. The G-554A variation located within a known NFkB binding element resulted in a decreased activity whereas the A/G base exchange at position -1320 showed an increased luciferase activity. This particular variant generated a myeloid zinc finger (MZF1) cis-acting element known to impact transcription. The allele frequency of the -1320G variant was 0.21% in 700 Caucasian patients under opioid medication in contrast to 9.1% reported previously in drug addicted African Americans. Because of this unexpected low frequency an association analysis to opioid requirements and effects of mu-opioid receptor agonists was not feasible. In conclusion, transcriptional regulation of MOR1 is modified by two genetic variations at positions -554 and -1320 of the mu-opioid receptor promoter. Individuals presenting these variations may have an altered level of MOR expression. A possible association of these genomic variants on efficacy and side effects of opioid treatment in different ethnic groups has to be elucidated.

Genetics and variability in opioid response.

The human genome project has revealed data on genomic variation which may influence the pharmacological responses. In pain therapy, the genetic background influencing the efficacy of opioid therapy is of special interest. Screening for variations in expression of drug metabolizing enzymes has been suggested as a potential tool for improving patient therapy. CYP2D6 genetic variability is supposed to be a major factor of adverse drug reaction, possibly influencing hospital stay and total costs. Further candidate genes involved in pain perception, pain processing and pain management like opioid receptors, transporters and other targets of pharmacotherapy are under investigation. Aspects of genetic differences influencing efficacy, side effects and adverse outcome of pharmacotherapy will be of importance for future pain management.

Impact of CYP2D6 genotype on postoperative tramadol analgesia.

Genetic polymorphisms result in absent enzyme activity of CYP2D6 (poor metabolizers, PM) in about 10% of the Caucasian population. This study investigates whether the PM genotype has an impact on the response to tramadol analgesia in postoperative patients. A prospective study design was used and 300 patients recovering from abdominal surgery were enrolled. After titration of an individual loading dose, patients could self-administer 1 ml bolus doses of the drug combination tramadol 20 mg/ml, dipyrone 200 mg/ml and metoclopramide 0.4 mg/ml via patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). Patients' genotype was analyzed considering the most prevalent PM associated CYP2D6 mutations using a real-time PCR and hybridization based genotyping method. Demographic data, surgery related variables, pain scores, analgesic consumption and need for rescue medication were compared between extensive metabolizers (EM) and PM. The primary outcome criterion 'response' was defined as responder or non-responder status by the need for rescue medication and patients' satisfaction at the final interview. Demographic and surgery related data were comparable between EM (n=241) and PM (n=30). The percentage of non-responders was significantly higher in the PM group (46.7%) compared with the EM group (21.6%; p=0.005). Tramadol loading dose amounted to 108.2+/-56.9 and 144.7+/-22.6 mg (p<0.001) in EM and PM, respectively. More patients displaying the PM genotype needed rescue medication in the recovery room and during PCA period than patients with at least one wild type allele (21.6 versus 43.3%, p=0.02). PM for CYP2D6 showed a lower response rate to postoperative tramadol analgesia than EM. Therefore, CYP2D6 genotype has an impact on analgesia with tramadol. Pharmacogenetics may explain some of the varying response to pain medication in postoperative patients.

Rapid and reliable method for cytochrome P450 2D6 genotyping.

BACKGROUND: Single-nucleotide polymorphisms and single-base deletions within the cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) gene have been associated with a poor metabolizer (PM) phenotype and display a frequency of 7-10% in the Caucasian population. METHODS: We developed a reliable and rapid procedure to identify five major PM-associated mutations (CYP2D6*4, *7, and *8) and deletions (CYP2D6*3 and *6) by real-time PCR with subsequent fluorometric melting point analysis of the PCR product. These polymorphisms within the CYP2D6 gene were detected by use of two primer pairs and five different pairs of hybridization probes. DNA extracted from whole blood of 323 individuals was analyzed, and results were compared with genotypes obtained by allele-specific multiplex PCR. In case of uncertain results, additional sequence analysis was performed. RESULTS: Genotyping results by real-time PCR were 100% reliable, whereas conventional allele-specific multiplex PCR produced uncertain results for 12.1% of samples, as confirmed by sequence analysis. Costs for reagents and consumables were considerably higher for the real-time PCR technology, but labor time was reduced by 2 h compared with allele-specific PCR. The allele frequencies in the population investigated were 0.186 for allele *4, 0.026 for allele *5, 0.009 for allele *3, 0.031 for allele *6, and 0.002 for allele *8. The defective CYP2D6*7 allele was not found. In addition, three additional mutations were detected, one of them displaying a PM genotype. CONCLUSION: Genotyping of CYP2D6 by real-time PCR with fluorometric melting point analysis is a rapid and reliable method.