The UGT1A1 gene is part of a complex locus that encodes several UDP-glucuronosyltransferases. The locus includes thirteen unique alternate first exons followed by four common exons. Four of the alternate first exons are considered pseudogenes. Each of the remaining nine 5' exons may be spliced to the four common exons, resulting in nine proteins with different N-termini and identical C-termini. Each first exon encodes the substrate binding site, and is regulated by its own promoter. Over 100 genetic variants within the UGT1A1 gene have been described, some of which confer increased, reduced or inactive enzymatic activity. The has compiled a list of these variants, naming each with a * symbol followed by a number.
Clinical significance
s in this gene cause serious problems for bilirubin metabolism; each syndrome can be caused by one or many mutations, so they are differentiated mostly by symptoms and not particular mutations:
Gilbert syndrome can be caused by a variety of genetic changes, but in Caucasian and African-American populations, it is most commonly associated with the UGT1A1*28 allele, a homozygous 2-bp insertion mutation of the TATA boxpromoter region of the UGT1A1 gene. This polymorphism impairs proper transcription of UGT1A1 gene, resulting in decreased transcriptional activity of UGT1A1 by about 70%; the resulting reduced enzyme activity leads to the hyperbilirubinemia characteristic of GS. The *28 polymorphism occurs with a frequency of 26-31% in Caucasians and 42-56% of African-Americans. About 10-15% of these populations are homozygous for the *28 allele, but only 5% actually develop UGT1A1-associated hyperbilirubinemia, so it appears that this mutation alone may be a necessary but not sufficient factor in GS, perhaps acting in combination with other UGT1A1 mutation to increase the chances of developing GS. In Asian and Pacific Islander populations, UGT1A1*28 is much less common, occurring at a frequency of approximately 9-16% in Asian populations and 4% of Pacific Islanders. In these populations, Gilbert's syndrome is more often due to missense mutations in the coding region of the gene, such as UGT1A1*6 A special phenobarbital-responsive enhancer module NR3 region helps to increase UDPGT enzyme production, which would make it conceptually possible to medically control the bilirubin level, although this is rarely necessary, particularly in adults.
Crigler–Najjar syndrome, type I is associated with mutation that result in a complete absence of normal UGT1A1 enzyme, which causes a severe hyperbilirubinemia with levels of total serum bilirubin from 20 to 45 mg/dL. Phenobarbital treatment does not help to lower bilirubin level, because it only increases the amount of mutated UGT1A1 enzyme, which is still unable to catalyze the glucuronidation of bilirubin, which on the other hand makes phenobarbital treatment diagnostically relevant.
Crigler–Najjar syndrome, type II is associated with other mutation that lead to a reduced activity of the mutated UGT1A1 enzyme, which causes a hyperbilirubinemia with levels of total serum bilirubin from 6 to 20 mg/dL. In this case phenobarbital treatment helps to lower bilirubin lever by more than 30%.
Hyperbilirubinemia, familial transient neonatal is associated with mutation that alone do not lead to bilirubin level increase in female patients, but their children when breastfed develop from mild to severe hyperbilirubinemia by receiving steroidal substances inhibiting glucuronidation of unconjugated bilirubin that may lead to jaundice and even kernicterus.
Pharmacogenetics
Genetic variations within the UGT1A1 gene have also been associated with the development of certain drug toxicities. The UGT1A1*28 variant, the same allele behind many cases of Gilbert syndrome, has been associated with an increased risk for neutropenia in patients receiving the chemotherapeutic drugirinotecan, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends on the irinotecan drug label that patients with the *28/*28 genotype receive a lower starting dose of the drug. The *28 allele has also shown associations with an increased risk for developing diarrhea in patients receiving irinotecan. The UGT1A1*6 variant, more common in Asian populations than the *28 variant, has also shown associations with the development of irinotecan toxicities. Patients who are heterozygous or homozygous for the *6 allele may have a higher risk for developing neutropenia and diarrhea as compared to those with the UGT1A1*1/*1 genotype.
