title: Low catechol-O-methyltransferase activity in a Saami population.
abstract: Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) catalyzes the O-methylation of catechol hormones, neurotransmitters and certain drugs. It is subject to genetic polymorphism and ethnic differences. High red blood cell (RBC) COMT activity has been correlated with a poor response to levodopa treatment in Parkinson's disease. RBC COMT was determined in a Norwegian population (n = 213) of whom 115 were Saami (Laaps). The Saami had 16.5% lower RBC COMT activity compared to a non-Saami population sample from the northern part of Norway (n = 50), 13.9 vs. 16.4 units/ml RBC (U) (P = 0.04). This is the first report of any population with lower RBC COMT activity than a Caucasian population. A wide range of RBC COMT activities was found in the entire population examined (1.3-38.3 U).
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Klemetsdal
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Straume
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Giverhaug
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aarbakke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000201:enzymology; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D044465:White People
chemical_list: D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase