Paediatrics Publications
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2010
Journal
Pharmacogenetics and Genomics
Volume
20
Issue
1
First Page
45
Last Page
57
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.1097/FPC.0b013e3283349eb0
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Our aims were to identify and functionally characterize coding region nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms in the hepatic efflux transporter, bile salt export pump (BSEP; ABCB11), and to assess interindividual variability in BSEP expression. METHODS: We identified 24 single nucleotide polymorphisms, including nine nonsynonymous variants, in ABCB11 from genomic DNA of ∼250 ethnically diverse healthy individuals using denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography analysis and DNA sequencing. Wild type and variant BSEP were generated and functionally characterized for taurocholate transport activity in vitro in HeLa cells using a recombinant vaccinia-based method. BSEP expression was assessed by real-time mRNA analysis, western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence confocal microscopy. RESULTS: For the most part, polymorphisms were rare and ethnic-dependent. In vitro functional studies revealed several rare variants, including 616A>G, 1674G>C, 1772A>G, and 3556G>A, to be associated with significantly impaired taurocholate transport activity while the 890A>G variant trended towards impaired function but was not statistically significant. The 3556G>A variant was associated with reduced cell surface to total protein expression compared with wild-type BSEP. Expression of BSEP by mRNA and protein analysis was determined from a bank of human liver samples. Wide interindividual variability was noted in both mRNA (19-fold) and protein (31-fold) expression levels. The common variant 1331T>C was associated with significantly reduced hepatic BSEP mRNA levels. CONCLUSION: Accordingly, our study indicates there are functionally relevant polymorphisms in ABCB11 which may be of potential relevance in the predisposition to acquired liver disorders such as drug-induced cholestasis. © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.