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Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Methods to Discover Alternative Promoter Usage and Transcriptional Regulation of Murine Bcrp1
Published on: May 27, 2016
Promoter polymorphisms and allelic imbalance in ABCB1 expression
Corinne Loeuillet1, Michael Weale, Samuel Deutsch
1Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Researchers identified genetic variations influencing ABCB1 gene expression, impacting drug transporter P-glycoprotein levels. This study clarifies the functional role of ABCB1 gene variants and their association with drug response.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacogenomics
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The ABCB1 gene encodes P-glycoprotein, a transporter affecting numerous medications.
- The ABCB1_3435C>T polymorphism has been linked to varying mRNA, protein, and serum levels, but its functional significance remains unclear.
- Previous association studies yielded inconsistent results regarding the ABCB1_3435C>T polymorphism's functionality or linkage disequilibrium with other alleles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify functional genetic variations within the ABCB1 gene.
- To investigate the impact of cis-acting variants on ABCB1 mRNA expression levels.
- To refine the mapping of variants influencing ABCB1 mRNA expression.
Main Methods:
- Assessed allelic imbalance in cDNA from 80 lymphoblastoid B cell lines using pyrosequencing.
- Genotyped common variations near the ABCB1_3435C>T polymorphism using a tagging single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) approach.
- Employed regression analysis in segregating families and association studies in HapMap individuals to identify cis-acting variants.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in ABCB1 allelic imbalance were observed among B-cell lines.
- Two cis-acting variants, a promoter dinucleotide polymorphism (rs28656907/rs28373093) and SNP rs10245483, were identified as predictors of ABCB1 expression.
- The rs10245483 SNP, located 2 Mb upstream, showed a strong association with ABCB1 expression (P=0.0003).
Conclusions:
- The study presents a novel experimental approach for fine-mapping gene variants that affect mRNA expression.
- Identified specific genetic variants that influence ABCB1 gene expression.
- Provides a foundation for understanding the functional impact of ABCB1 genetic variation on drug response.
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