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Normal Function
The TPMT gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT). This enzyme carries out a specific chemical reaction called S-methylation of a group of molecules known as aromatic and heterocyclic sulphydryl compounds. This function is of particular interest because it is critical for breaking down (metabolizing) drugs called thiopurines. These drugs, which include 6-thioguanine, 6-mercaptopurine, and azathioprine, inhibit (suppress) the body's immune system. They are used to treat several forms of cancer and other disorders involving immune system malfunction, such as Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Thiopurine drugs are also used in organ transplant recipients to help prevent the immune system from attacking the transplanted organ.
Once inside the body, thiopurine drugs are converted to toxic compounds that kill immune system cells in the bone marrow. The TPMT enzyme "turns off" thiopurine drugs by metabolizing them to inactive, nontoxic compounds.
Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes
Thiopurine S-methyltransferase deficiency
Changes in the TPMT gene cause TPMT deficiency, which is a reduction in the activity of the TPMT enzyme. Without enough of this enzyme, the body cannot "turn off" thiopurine drugs by metabolizing them into inactive compounds. The drugs stay in the body longer and continue to destroy cells unchecked, which leads to bone marrow damage (hematopoietic toxicity). This damage causes myelosuppression, which is an inability of the bone marrow to make enough red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. A shortage of these cells can cause a variety of health problems, the most serious of which include abnormal bleeding and an increased risk of potentially life-threatening infections. Although hematopoietic toxicity can occur in anyone who takes thiopurine drugs, people with TPMT deficiency are at highest risk of this complication.
The TPMT gene can be classified as either low-activity or high-activity. When the gene is altered in a way that impairs the activity of the TPMT enzyme, it is described as low-activity. When the gene is unaltered and TPMT activity is normal, it is described as high-activity. Because two copies of the gene are present in each cell, each person can have two low-activity copies, one low-activity copy and one high-activity copy, or two high-activity copies. People with two low-activity copies of the TPMT gene in each cell have TPMT deficiency and are at the greatest risk of developing hematopoietic toxicity when treated with thiopurine drugs unless they are given much less than the usual dose. People with one high-activity copy and one low-activity copy have moderately reduced enzyme activity and are also at increased risk of this complication unless given a significantly lower dose of the drug. People with two high-activity copies have normal TPMT activity and do not have an increased risk of hematopoietic toxicity with thiopurine drug treatment.
More than 40 low-activity versions (alleles) of the TPMT gene have been found in people with TPMT deficiency. Each of these alleles includes one or more changes in the gene that reduce the stability and activity of the TPMT enzyme. Two particular alleles, TPMT*3A and TPMT*3C, underlie more than 90 percent of cases of the condition. Studies suggest that TPMT*3A is the most common low-activity allele in whites, while TPMT*3C is the most common low-activity allele in Asians, Africans, and African Americans.
More About This Health ConditionOther Names for This Gene
- S-adenosyl-L-methionine:thiopurine S-methyltransferase
- thiopurine methyltransferase
- TPMT_HUMAN
Additional Information & Resources
Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry
Scientific Articles on PubMed
Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM
References
- Appell ML, Berg J, Duley J, Evans WE, Kennedy MA, Lennard L, Marinaki T, McLeod HL, Relling MV, Schaeffeler E, Schwab M, Weinshilboum R, Yeoh AE, McDonagh EM, Hebert JM, Klein TE, Coulthard SA. Nomenclature for alleles of the thiopurine methyltransferase gene. Pharmacogenet Genomics. 2013 Apr;23(4):242-8. doi: 10.1097/FPC.0b013e32835f1cc0. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
- Coulthard S, Hogarth L. The thiopurines: an update. Invest New Drugs. 2005 Dec;23(6):523-32. doi: 10.1007/s10637-005-4020-8. Citation on PubMed
- Fotoohi AK, Coulthard SA, Albertioni F. Thiopurines: factors influencing toxicity and response. Biochem Pharmacol. 2010 May 1;79(9):1211-20. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2010.01.006. Epub 2010 Jan 21. Citation on PubMed
- Relling MV, Gardner EE, Sandborn WJ, Schmiegelow K, Pui CH, Yee SW, Stein CM, Carrillo M, Evans WE, Klein TE; Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium. Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium guidelines for thiopurine methyltransferase genotype and thiopurine dosing. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2011 Mar;89(3):387-91. doi: 10.1038/clpt.2010.320. Epub 2011 Jan 26. Erratum In: Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2011 Dec;90(6):894. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
- Wang L, Pelleymounter L, Weinshilboum R, Johnson JA, Hebert JM, Altman RB, Klein TE. Very important pharmacogene summary: thiopurine S-methyltransferase. Pharmacogenet Genomics. 2010 Jun;20(6):401-5. doi: 10.1097/FPC.0b013e3283352860. No abstract available. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
- Zaza G, Cheok M, Krynetskaia N, Thorn C, Stocco G, Hebert JM, McLeod H, Weinshilboum RM, Relling MV, Evans WE, Klein TE, Altman RB. Thiopurine pathway. Pharmacogenet Genomics. 2010 Sep;20(9):573-4. doi: 10.1097/FPC.0b013e328334338f. No abstract available. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
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