Association of CYP2D6 metabolizer status with mammographic density change in response to tamoxifen treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Not all breast cancer patients respond to tamoxifen treatment, possibly due to genetic predisposition. As tamoxifen-induced reductions in percent mammographic density (PMD) have been linked to the risk and prognosis of breast cancer, we conducted a candidate gene study to investigate the association between germline CYP2D6 polymorphisms and PMD change. METHODS: Baseline and follow-up mammograms were retrieved for 278 tamoxifen-treated subjects with CYP2D6 metabolizer status (extensive (EM), heterozygous extensive/intermediate (hetEM/IM) or poor metabolizer (PM)). Logistic regression analyses were conducted comparing subjects who experienced >10% reduction in PMD to those who experienced ≤10% reduction or increase. RESULTS: After multivariate adjustment, PMD change was found to be significantly associated with the degree of CYP2D6 enzyme functionality (Ptrend = 0.021). Compared with EM, hetEM/IM and PM were 72% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.10 to 0.79) and 71% (0.03 to 2.62) less likely to experience a >10% reduction, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Tamoxifen-induced change in PMD appears to have a genetic component.

Impact of metabolizing enzymes on drug response of endocrine therapy in breast cancer.

Estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer accounts for 75% of diagnosed breast cancers worldwide. There are currently two major options for adjuvant treatment: tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors. Variability in metabolizing enzymes determines their pharmacokinetic profile, possibly affecting treatment response. Therefore, prediction of therapy outcome based on genotypes would enable a more personalized medicine approach, providing optimal therapy for each patient. In this review, the authors will discuss the current evidence on the most important metabolizing enzymes in endocrine therapy, with a special focus on CYP2D6 and its role in tamoxifen metabolism.

Fidelity of plus-strand priming requires the nucleic acid chaperone activity of HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein.

During minus-strand DNA synthesis, RNase H degrades viral RNA sequences, generating potential plus-strand DNA primers. However, selection of the 3' polypurine tract (PPT) as the exclusive primer is required for formation of viral DNA with the correct 5'-end and for subsequent integration. Here we show a new function for the nucleic acid chaperone activity of HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein (NC) in reverse transcription: blocking mispriming by non-PPT RNAs. Three representative 20-nt RNAs from the PPT region were tested for primer extension. Each primer had activity in the absence of NC, but less than the PPT. NC reduced priming by these RNAs to essentially base-line level, whereas PPT priming was unaffected. RNase H cleavage and zinc coordination by NC were required for maximal inhibition of mispriming. Biophysical properties, including thermal stability, helical structure and reverse transcriptase (RT) binding affinity, showed significant differences between PPT and non-PPT duplexes and the trends were generally correlated with the biochemical data. Binding studies in reactions with both NC and RT ruled out a competition binding model to explain NC's observed effects on mispriming efficiency. Taken together, these results demonstrate that NC chaperone activity has a major role in ensuring the fidelity of plus-strand priming.

Localization of members of the gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase family identifies sites of glutathione and glutathione S-conjugate hydrolysis.

gamma-Glutamyl transpeptidases (GGTs) are essential for hydrolysis of the tripeptide glutathione (gamma-glutamate-cysteine-glycine) and glutathione S-conjugates since they are the only enzymes known to cleave the amide bond linking the gamma-carboxylate of glutamate to cysteine. In Arabidopsis thaliana, four GGT genes have been identified based on homology with animal GGTs. They are designated GGT1 (At4g39640), GGT2 (At4g39650), GGT3 (At1g69820), and GGT4 (At4g29210). By analyzing the expression of each GGT in plants containing GGT:beta-glucuronidase fusions, the temporal and spatial pattern of degradation of glutathione and its metabolites was established, revealing appreciable overlap among GGTs. GGT2 exhibited narrow temporal and spatial expression primarily in immature trichomes, developing seeds, and pollen. GGT1 and GGT3 were coexpressed in most organs/tissues. Their expression was highest at sites of rapid growth including the rosette apex, floral stem apex, and seeds and might pinpoint locations where glutathione is delivered to sink tissues to supplement high demand for cysteine. In mature tissues, they were expressed only in vascular tissue. Knockout mutants of GGT2 and GGT4 showed no phenotype. The rosettes of GGT1 knockouts showed premature senescence after flowering. Knockouts of GGT3 showed reduced number of siliques and reduced seed yield. Knockouts were used to localize and assign catalytic activity to each GGT. In the standard GGT assay with gamma-glutamyl p-nitroanilide as substrate, GGT1 accounted for 80% to 99% of the activity in all tissues except seeds where GGT2 was 50% of the activity. Protoplasting experiments indicated that both GGT1 and GGT2 are localized extracellularly but have different physical or chemical associations.