THE VARIATION OF CYP2C19 GENE IN THE ROMA POPULATION FROM CROATIA

Abstract

CYP2C19 gene is a member of cytochrome P450 family that codes for enzyme involved in the biotransformation of 10% of commonly prescribed drugs. Inter-individual variability in CYP2C19-mediated drug metabolism is mostly due to CYP2C19 variations. This study analyses the pharmacogenetic profile of CYP2C19 in three groups of Croatian Roma (440 individuals).

Ten CYP2C19 loci were genotyped, seven of which were monomorphic (rs28399504, rs4986893, rs55640102, rs56337013, rs72552267, rs72558186 and rs41291556). Minor allele frequency (MAF) of rs4244285 (CYP2C19*2) in the Roma was 15.5%, which is similar to the majority Croatian population. MAFs of rs12248560 (CYP2C19*17) noted in 28.3%, and of rs3758581 (defining wild-type allele, CYP2C19*1) present in 18.3% of Roma, differed from MAFs in the Croatian and from the other world populations.

The more rapid metabolism (vs. wild type) of CYP2C19-targeted drugs is expected in 40% of the Roma (and in as much as 53.1% in the Baranja group). This is a consequence of a high prevalence (33%) of the “rapid metabolizers” (corresponding to *1/*17 genotype) and 7% of “ultrarapid metabolizers” (*17/*17) in the Croatian Roma.

The results indicate that genetic profile of CYP2C19 should be taken into account in modulating pharmacotherapy in Roma population.