Synonymous mutation rs2515641 affects CYP2E1 mRNA and protein expression and susceptibility to drug-induced liver injury

Aim: To evaluate whether the synonymous mutant rs2515641 could affect cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) expression and the response to acetaminophen (APAP) or triptolide (TP) treatment. Materials & methods: HepG2 cells were transfected with lentiviral vector containing either CYP2E1-1263C or CYP2E1-1263T. Some of these recombinant cells were then treated with APAP or TP. CYP2E1 gene expression was detected by PCR and western blot. Results:CYP2E1 gene expression decreased significantly both in mRNA and protein level after rs2515641 mutation, indicating that this polymorphism can affect both transcription and translation. Furthermore, rs2515641 mutation dramatically changes the response of CYP2E1 expression to APAP or TP treatment. Conclusion: Rs2515641 significantly changes CYP2E1 expression and function, which would be expected to affect drug disposition and response.