An allele-specific polymerase chain reaction method for the determination of the D85Y polymorphism in the human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 2B15 genein a case-control study of prostate cancer
Sl. Macleod et al., An allele-specific polymerase chain reaction method for the determination of the D85Y polymorphism in the human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 2B15 genein a case-control study of prostate cancer, ANN SURG O, 7(10), 2000, pp. 777-782
Background: UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 2B15 (UGT2B15) catalyzes the inacti
vation of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by forming the DHT-glucuronide and is e
xpressed in normal and hyperplastic prostate tissue. Alterations in the act
ivity of this enzyme could be a major contributing factor to the bioavailab
ility of androgens in target tissue such as the prostate.
Methods: A polymorphism (D-85 to Y-85) has been identified in the UGT2B15 g
ene(1) that results in a 50% reduction in enzyme activity. Previously, dete
ction of the polymorphic nucleotide has required direct sequencing. We have
developed and validated an allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
assay to identify the polymorphic base pair in the UGT2B15 gene. This assa
y was used to examine the distribution of the UGT2B15 polymorphism in a sma
ll case-control group (64 cases and 64 controls) from a prostate cancer stu
dy.
Results: The results of this analysis show that prostate cancer patients we
re significantly more likely to be homozygous for the lower activity D85 UG
T2B15 allele than control individuals (41% versus 19%, respectively, odds r
atio = 3.0 (95% confidence intervals 1,3-6.5)),
Conclusions: These results suggest that individuals who are homozygous for
the lower activity allele may be at increased risk for developing prostate
cancer.