Catechol-O-methyltransferase: Effects of the val108met polymorphism on protein turnover in human cells

A single nucleotide polymorphism in the human COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase) gene has been associated with increased risk for breast cancer and several CNS diseases and disorders. The G to A polymorphism causes a valine (val) to methionine (met) substitution at codon 108 soluble - (S)/158 membrane - (MB)-COMT, generating alleles encoding high and low-activity forms of the enzyme, COMTH and COMTL, respectively. Tissues and cells with a COMTLL genotype have decreased COMT activity compared to COMTHH cells. Previously, we reported that the decreased activity was due to decreased amounts of S-COMTL protein in human hepatocytes. In this study, we investigated the role of S-COMT protein synthesis and turnover as determinates of reduced COMT protein in COMTLL compared to COMTHH cells. No association between S-COMT protein synthesis and COMT genotype was detected. Using a pulse-chase protocol, the half-life of S-COMTH was determined to be 4.7 days, which was considerably longer than expected from the half-lives of other phase 2 enzyme proteins. The half-life of S-COMTL compared to S-COMTH protein was significantly shorter at 3.0 days, but the difference was affected by the medium used during the chase period. These results suggest that increased turnover may contribute to reduced COMT activity in cells and tissues from COMTLL individuals. Subtle differences appear to be able to affect the stability of the S-COMTL protein, and this may contribute to the differences observed in epidemiological studies on the association of this polymorphism with breast cancer risk.