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Test ID NAT2 N-Acetyltransferase 2 Gene (NAT2), Full Gene Sequence

Useful For

Identifying patients who may require isoniazid dosing adjustments

Profile Information

Test ID Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed
NAT2F NAT2, Full Gene Sequence No Yes
NAT2S NAT2, Gene Sequencing No Yes

Method Name

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Followed by DNA Sequence Analysis

(PCR is utilized pursuant to a license agreement with Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.)

Reporting Name

NAT2, Full Gene Sequence

Specimen Type

Whole Blood EDTA

Multiple whole blood EDTA genotype tests can be performed on a single specimen after a single extraction. See Multiple Whole Blood EDTA Genotype Tests in Special Instructions for a list of tests that can be ordered together.

 

Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA)

Specimen Volume: 3 mL

Collection Instructions: Send specimen in original tube.

Forms: New York Clients-Informed consent is required. Please document on request form or electronic order that a copy is on file. An Informed Consent for Genetic Testing (Supply T576) is available in Special Instructions.

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.3 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Whole Blood EDTA Ambient (preferred)
  Refrigerated 

Clinical Information

Arylamine N-acetyltransferase type 2 (NAT2) is a highly polymorphic phase 2 metabolic enzyme that conjugates hydrazine derivatives and aromatic amine drugs with acetyl-groups. NAT2 also is involved in the acetylation and activation of some procarcinogens.(1)

 

Individuals acetylate drugs at different rates by NAT2, and are described as having slow, intermediate, or fast acetylator phenotypes. A gradient exists in which the prevalence of slow acetylator phenotypes increases with decreasing distance to the equator. Near the equator, up to 80% of individuals may be slow acetylators, while in some more northern countries, as few as 10% of the population may have the slow acetylator phenotype.

 

A number of drugs are metabolized by NAT2 including procainamide, dapsone, nitrazepam, hydralazine, zonisamide, and isoniazid. Isoniazid is used to treat and prevent tuberculosis, and is still used as a primary treatment agent. Adverse reactions with isoniazid, which include nausea, drug-induced hepatitis, peripheral neuropathy, and sideroblastic anemia, are associated more often with a slow NAT2 acetylator phenotype. These individuals may require a lower dose to avoid adverse reactions.

 

The NAT2 gene contains a single intronless exon of 870 base pairs and encodes 290 amino acids. NAT2 is highly polymorphic and contains 16 known single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 1 single base pair deletion. These polymorphisms are combined into 36 known haplotype alleles. Each individual haplotype is predictive of either a fast or slow acetylator phenotype. Individuals with 2 fast haplotypes are predicted to be extensive (normal) metabolizers, while those with 1 fast and 1 slow haplotype are intermediate metabolizers, and those with 2 slow haplotypes are poor metabolizers.(2,3) Studies with patients who have different acetylator haplotypes have correlated the ratio of plasma N-acetylisoniazid/isoniazid drug concentrations with haplotypes, with slow and intermediate acetylators having lower ratios than fast acetylators.(4)

 

NAT2 Allele 

Nucleotide Change

Amino Acid Change

Predicted Acetylator Phenotype

*4

None

None

Fast

*5A

341T->C
481C->T

I114T

Slow

*5B

341T->C
481C->T
803A->G

I114T


K268R

Slow

*5C

341T->C
803A->G

I114T
K268R

Slow

*5D

341T->C

I114T

Slow

*5E

341T->C
590G->A

I114T
R197Q

Slow

*5F

341T->C
481C->T
759C->T
803A->G

I114T


 

K268R

Slow

*5G

282C->T
341T->C
481C->T
803A->G

                                I114T

 

K268R

Slow

*5H

341T->C

481C->T

803A->G

859Del

I114T


K268R


S287 Frameshift

Slow

*5I

341T->C

411A->T

481C->T

803A->G

I114T
L137F


K268R

Slow

*5J

282C->T
341T->C
590G->A

 

I114T
R197Q

Slow

*6A

282C->T
590G->A

 

R197Q

Slow

*6B

590G->A

R197Q

Slow

*6C

282C->T
590G->A
803A->G

 

R197Q
K268R

Slow

*6D

111T->C
282C->T
590G->A

 

 

R197Q

Slow

*6E

481C->T
590G->A

 

R197Q

Slow

*7A

857G->A

G286E

Slow

*7B

282C->T
857G->A

 

G286E

Slow

*10

499G->A

E167K

Undetermined

*11A

481C->T

None

Undetermined

*11B

481C->T

859Del

 

S287 Frameshift

Undetermined

*12A

803A->G

K268R

Fast

*12B

282C->T
803A->G

 

K268R

Fast

*12C

481C->T
803A->G

 

K268R

Fast

*12D

364G->A
803A->G

D122N
K268R

Undetermined

*13

282C->T

None

Fast

*14A

191G->A

R64Q

Slow

*14B

191G->A
282C->T

R64Q

Slow

*14C

191G->A
341T->C
481C->T
803A->G

R64Q
I114T


K268R

Slow

*14D

191G->A
282C->T
590G->A

R64Q


R197Q

Slow

*14E

191G->A
803A->G

R64Q
K268R

Slow

*14F

191G->A
341T->C
803A->G

R64Q
I114T
K268R

Slow

*14G

191G->A
282C->T
803A->G

R64Q


K268R

Slow

*17

434A->C

Q145P

Undetermined

*18

845A->C

K282T

Undetermined

*19

190C->T

R64W

Undetermined

Reference Values

An interpretive report will be provided.

Cautions

Blood samples may contain donor DNA if obtained from patients who received heterologous blood transfusions or allogeneic blood or marrow transplantation. Results from samples obtained under these circumstances may not accurately reflect the recipient’s genotype. For individuals who have received blood transfusions, the genotype usually reverts to that of the recipient within 6 weeks. For individuals who have received allogeneic blood or marrow transplantation, a pretransplant DNA specimen is recommended for testing.

 

NAT2 genetic test results in patients who have undergone liver transplantation may not accurately reflect the patient's NAT2 status.

 

This test sequences the entire NAT2 gene. All variants, including novel variants not listed, should be detected. However, novel variants not described in the literature may be of unknown significance.

 

Mutations in the primer binding regions can affect the testing and, ultimately, the genotyping interpretation made.

 

Drug-drug interactions and drug or metabolite inhibition must be considered when dealing with heterozygous individuals. Drug or metabolite inhibition can reduce residual functional NAT2 catalytic activity. Acetaminophen is a significant inhibitor of NAT2.

 

Patients may develop isoniazid toxicity problems if liver and kidney function are impaired, even in the absence of slow or intermediate acetylator status.

Day(s) Performed

Varies

Report Available

7 days (Not reported Saturday or Sunday)

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Medical Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic. This test has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

81479-Unlisted molecular pathology procedure

NY State Approved

Yes