Real-time RT-PCR methodology for quantification of thiopurine methyltransferase gene expression.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to develop a real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methodology for the quantification of thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) gene expression in whole blood and compare it with the TPMT enzyme activity measured in red blood cells.

Methods: TPMT gene expression was quantified relative to the housekeeping gene cyclophilin (huCYC) and expressed as a TPMT/huCYC ratio. TPMT activity in red blood cells was determined by measuring the formation rate of 6-(14)C-methylmercaptopurine from 6-MP using S-adenosyl-L-((14)C-methyl)-methionine as methyl donor. Thirty-nine individuals were included in the study. A cut-off value of 9 U/ml pRBC was used to distinguish intermediate TPMT enzyme activity from high TPMT enzyme activity.

Results: Sequencing of the real-time RT-PCR amplicon proved that the method was specific for the TPMT cDNA, without co-amplification of the highly similar TPMT processed pseudogene. The intra-assay coefficients of variation (CVs), as determined by the threshold cycle, were 0.7% for TPMT and 0.5% for huCYC. The interassay CVs were 1.5% for TPMT and 4.0% for huCYC. The intra- and interassay CVs, as determined by the TPMT/huCYC ratio, were 8.6% and 25%, respectively. There was a statistically significant correlation between TPMT enzyme activity and mRNA level in blood cells from individuals with an enzyme activity above 9 U/ml pRBC (r(s)=0.66, P=0.0001). However, we did not find any statistically significant correlation in individuals with lower enzyme activity or when analysing the whole population.

Conclusion: We present a specific and robust real-time RT-PCR method for quantifying TPMT gene expression. The method may be used for studies on TPMT gene regulation.