Genome-wide association study reveals a complex genetic architecture underpinning-induced CYP3A4 enzyme activity

Atypical cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) enzyme activity - induced and inhibited - is thought to be the driver of numerous poor or adverse therapeutic responses to up to 50 % of all commonly prescribed drugs. We carried out a genome-wide association study to identify common genetic variants associated with variation in induced CYP3A4 activity. A total of 310 twins were included in this study. Each participant had already completed a 14 days course of St John's Wort to induce CYP3A4, which was quantified through the metabolic ratio of exogenous 3-hydroxyquinine to quinine. We failed to detect any genome-wide significant associations (P < 1 × 10-8) with variation in induced CYP3A4 activity although several genomic regions were highlighted which may play minor roles. We report the first GWAS of variation in induced CYP3A4 activity and our preliminary results indicate a complex genetic architecture underpinning induced CYP3A4 enzyme activity. © 2012 Springer-Verlag France.