Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 10, 2026

Multi-Gene Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Detection in Gastric Cancer Based on Ion Semiconductor Sequencing Platform
Published on: May 10, 2024
Pharmacogenetics of catechol-O-methyltransferase: frequency of low activity allele in a Ghanaian population
M M Ameyaw1, A C Syvänen, I Ulmanen
1Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, UK.
Abstract:
Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) catalyses the O-methylation of neurotransmitters, catechol hormones and drugs such as levodopa and methyldopa. Ethnic differences in COMT activity have been observed in several populations. Previous studies suggest that the g1947G>A low activity allele is less common in individuals of African origin. COMT genotyping was performed using a mini-sequencing method in 195 healthy Ghanaians with a frequency of the homozygous g1947G>A of 6%. This study provides confirmation that the low activity COMT allele is less common in individuals of African origin. This finding may be important clinically with regards to the treatment of many neuropsychiatric disorders and in the pathophysiology of various human disorders including estrogen-induced cancers, Parkinson's disease, depression and hypertension.
Related Concept Videos
Pharmacogenetic Phenotypes: Alterations in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Targets and Biologic Milieu
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Metabolism: Overview
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase
Pharmacogenetics of Phase II Enzymes: N-acetyltransferase, Thiopurine S-methyltransferase, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase
Pharmacogenetics of Phase I Enzymes: Cytochrome P450 Isozymes
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Transporters: P-Glycoprotein and Solute Carrier Transporters