CYP1A2 Gene: An Introduction
The CYP1A2 gene is a member of the CYP450 enzyme family, which is responsible for the detoxification or removal of toxins from the body.
The CYP1A2 gene produces the CYP1A2 protein in the liver. This is an important enzyme required to break down toxins of all kinds. Apart from the liver, this enzyme is also found in the lungs, pancreas, brain, and gastrointestinal tract.
CYP1A2- The Different Metabolizer Types
Slow Metabolizers – Slow metabolizers have lower levels of CYP1A2 enzyme and process caffeine and other substances more slowly. So, the same amount of caffeine will cause more negative effects on CYP1A2 slow metabolizers than the rapid metabolizers.
Fast Metabolizers – Fast/Rapid metabolizers have higher levels of CYP1A2 enzyme and process caffeine and other substances rapidly. They are less likely to suffer from the effects of caffeine on the body. But at the same time, they metabolize drugs very fast and thus may not experience the intended effects of the drugs.
Intermediate Metabolizers – These people produce moderate amounts of the CYP1A2 enzyme.
Compounds That The CYP1A2 Gene Acts On
The CYP1A2 enzyme acts on over 100 substrates that include:
Drugs
Clozapine – It is an antipsychotic medication commonly used in the treatment of schizophrenia. Clozapine is said to be the only effective drug against treatment-resistant schizophrenia.
Tacrine – This is a drug used to treat mild to moderate symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
Theophylline- This drug is routinely used to treat chronic respiratory conditions like COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder), asthma and prevent symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath.
Tylenol- This medication is also known as acetaminophen and is used to treat fevers and pain.
Procarcinogens
Procarcinogens are chemical compounds that can be converted into cancer-causing substances called carcinogens. Some common procarcinogens that the CYP1A2 gene acts on include:
Benzopyrene – It is found in car exhaust, smoke from wood fires, tobacco, oil and gas products, charred or grilled foods, and other sources.
Aflatoxin – This toxin is produced by fungi found on certain crops like maize, tree nuts, and cottonseed.
Heterocyclic amines – It is a chemical found in cigarette smoke, chargrilled, and char boiled meats.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) – It is a group of chemicals that occur naturally in coal, crude oil, and gasoline.
Endogenous Substances
1. Steroids, Arachidonic acid
2. Hormones like melatonin and estrogen and their products
3. Metabolic waste products like bilirubin and uroporphyrinogen
The CYP1A2 gene is of particular interest because it is also responsible for detoxifying xenobiotic compounds, including caffeine and many prescription drugs.
CYP1A2 Inducers and Inhibitors
Some drugs and compounds stimulate CYP1A2 activity, while others inhibit it. This is important because toxins that reduce the activity of the CYP1A2 gene increase the effect of the substrates. Similarly, toxins that stimulate CYP1A2 activity decrease the effect of the substrate.
Compounds that Induce CYP1A2 Activity
Some factors like smoking, eating cruciferous vegetables, exposure to polyamine hydrocarbons from grilled or barbecued meats, omeprazole, and other PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitors) activate the CYP1A2 enzyme.
Compounds that Inhibit CYP1A2 Activity
Oral contraceptives, fluvoxamine, and fluoroquinolone group of antibiotics reduce the expression of the gene and subsequent enzyme activity.
Variations in the CYP1A2 Gene
Both genetic and environmental factors can cause variations in the CYP1A2 gene and result in up to a 6-fold difference in the gene’s activity. Ethnicity also impacts the functioning of the CYP1A2 gene, with a lower activity found in Asian and African populations as compared to Caucasians.
About 40 SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) have been identified in the CYP1A2 gene that affect the gene’s detoxification effects.
| Haplotype | Effect |
| CYP1A2*1C | Decreased enzyme activity |
| CYP1A2*1F | Decreased enzyme activity |
| CYP1A2*1K | Decreased enzyme activity |
| CYP1A2*4 | Decreased enzyme activity |
| CYP1A2*6 | Decreased enzyme activity |
A haplotype is a group of gene changes that are inherited together. The *1C, *F, *1K, *4, etc. star alleles. Star alleles are used to name different haplotypes.
The CYP1A2*1C type (AA and GA) of this gene alters the binding site of the enzyme, which results in slower processing of the drug. This increases the severity of any side effects of the drug.
*1C variant is found in 6-25% Asians and only 0.4% in Caucasians.
Another study revealed that alcoholic individuals being treated with clozapine for refractory psychosis (treatment-resistant psychosis- a mental health condition) having double alleles (homozygous) for CYP1A2 *1C/*1C gene variants of the rs2069514 SNP are at a high risk of CLZ-related adverse drug reaction. This information is helpful for clinicians before they prescribe clozapine.
Caffeine and CYP1A2 Gene
Caffeine is a major substrate of the CYP1A2 gene. Caucasian smokers with the AA type of rs762551 showed increased metabolism as compared to those with CA and CC types. However, this was not seen in non-smokers.
The C allele of CYP1A2*1F type decreases the CYP1A2 enzyme activity. Smokers with AA type had 1.6x higher CYP1A2 activity than those with AC and CC types. Among non-smokers, people with high caffeine intake and AA type had 1.4x higher CYP1A2 activity.
A study conducted on the South American population examined the effect of caffeine consumption on heart health. It was found that individuals with the CYP1A2*1A allele (AA) are said to be rapid caffeine metabolizers, and those with CYP1A2*1F (AC, CC) are said to be slow metabolizers.
Studies have shown that fast metabolizer of caffeine:
- Are more likely to benefit from the caffeine boost in athletics
- Are less likely to develop hypertension or heart conditions when they consume coffee
It has also been found that in slow metabolizers, caffeine had a greater effect on their body and increased their risk of hypertension and heart diseases (when they drank coffee regularly). Slow caffeine metabolizers with C>A type had an increased risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction.
A study showed that women who had abnormal changes in BRCA1 with at least one C allele, i.e., AC or CC type in the CYP1A2 gene, had a 64% reduction in breast cancer risk upon coffee consumption. Also, this protective effect of the C allele was not seen in women having the AA gene type.
Recommendations For Healthy CYP1A2 Metabolism
- Consumption of the Right Type of Vegetables
A study demonstrated that under controlled dietary conditions, moderate intake of Brassica or cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, etc., increases CYP1A2 activity.
Apiaceous vegetables like carrots, celery, parsnips, etc., decrease CYP1A2 enzyme activity. Maintaining a healthy balance of CYP1A2 is essential for the proper elimination of toxins as their build-up can lead to various disorders like heart diseases, type-2 diabetes, and obesity.
- Quit Smoking
Smoking increases the CYP1A2 activity, and it increases the risk of various types of cancers. This occurs as increased CYP1A2 activity stimulates activation of harmful carcinogens in the body.
- Genetic Testing
This can help you understand the CYP1A2 gene and identify abnormal changes if any. This will help your doctor prescribe the right medications without causing any adverse reactions due to the CYP1A2 gene interaction.
Summary
- The CYP1A2 enzyme is a part of the CYP 450 family and is primarily present in the liver.
- The CYP1A2 enzyme acts on over 100 substrates, including drugs, endogenous substances like hormones, metabolic waste products, and coffee.
- Rapid metabolizers have higher levels of CYP1A2 enzymes and tend to clear out drugs too quickly, before they can bring about any effect in the body.
- Slow metabolizers produce less CYP1A2 enzymes and may be at risk for toxin build-up.
- Women who consume coffee, have BRCA1 mutations (abnormal changes), and at least one C allele in the CYP1A2 gene had a 64% reduced risk of breast cancer.
- Vegetables in the Brassica family can increase CYP1A2 activity, while those in the Apiaceous family can reduce it.
- Reducing or quitting smoking can help boost the activity of the CYP1A2 enzyme.
References
- https://www.pharmgkb.org/vip/PA166165414
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/cyp1a2
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28934216/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33336447/
- https://www.pharmgkb.org/literature/7252003
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25472037/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19451835/
- https://www.pharmgkb.org/literature/6414975
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16522833/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17507615/
- https://academic.oup.com/carcin/article/21/6/1157/2896318
- https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jnme/2015/760689/
