Whole Deletion of CYP2A6 Gene (CYP2A6*4C) and Smoking Behavior

Abstract
The relationship between nicotine metabolism of CYP2A6 and the smoking behavior in a Japanese population was investigated. The CYP2A6 genotypes were determined by the PCR method. There was a significant difference in the frequency of the CYP2A6AST;4C allele, which is a whole deleted allele for the human CYP2A6 gene, between smokers and nonsmokers. The frequency of the CYP2A6AST;4C allele was higher in nonsmokers than in smokers, whereas the frequency of CYP2A6AST;1A/AST;1B heterozygotes with a higher activity of nicotine metabolism was lower. In this study it was suggested that the CYP2A6AST;4C allele may prevent the carrier from smoking and the CYP2A6AST;1A/AST;1B heterozygote may be at risk for developing smoking behavior.