COMT

Fact Checked

Protein:

Catechol-O-methyltransferase

SNP ID:

G472A, Val158Met
C186T

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is an enzyme which inactivates neurotransmitters such as dopamine and epinephrine in the brain, and is encoded for by the COMT gene ¹.

COMT plays an important role in inactivating several neurotransmitters including:

Dopamine
Epinephrine
Norepinephrine ².

Inactivation of these neurotransmitters is important to ensure that the amount that binds to their receptors remain constant and at physiologically normal levels. If these the COMT enzyme works to rapidly, or too slowly, behavioural changes can occur.

COMT deactivates these neurotransmitters by introducing a methyl group into their structure, which is donated by S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) ². Research has found that SNPs in the COMT gene has significant effects on it’s activity, which result in what is termed as the ‘worrier’ and ‘warrior’ characteristics.

Learn your COMT status here.

Impact of COMT mutations

The most common variant in this context was found to be defined by an amino acid substitution of methionine (Met) in place of valine (Val) at position 158 (Val158Met). Depending on your gene copy number, you could be classed as a:

Worrier (A genotype)
Warrior (G genotype)
or a mix of the two (AG genotype)

The Warrior Genotype

This variant confers resilience to stress as well as an emotional advantage over individuals with the AG (worrier) genotype. Additionally, this genotype also confers protection against anxiety and pain susceptibility in these individuals ³.

The Worrier Genotype

The worrier genotype of the COMT gene has been characterized as having heightened cognitive performance at the cost of greater levels of anxiety and vulnerability to stress ⁴. It was also found that the worriers exhibited a significantly heightened startle reflex compared with the warriors ⁵, and gravitate toward harm avoidance, as opposed to the novelty seeking, as observed with the warrior genotype.

G472A, Val158Met

Science Grade :

A-

Brain Health

rsID Number	Major Allele	Minor Allele	Minor Allele Frequency (%)	Major Amino Acid	Minor Amino Acid
rs4680	g	a	47	Val	Met

Risk Description

Both the ‘G’ and ‘A’ allele of G472A in the COMT gene are associated with neurological characteristics associated with altered COMT activity ⁴. The COMT enzyme formed from the minor ‘A’ allele has been reported as having approximately a 75% reduction in activity compared to those formed from the major ‘G’ allele ⁵.

Therefore those carrying two copies of the ‘A’ allele display lower COMT activity which is associated with increased dopamine levels in the brain. This is thought to lead to a lower pain threshold ⁶ and increased stress sensitivity ⁷ but improved memory and attention to detail ⁷, a potential risk for Parkinsons disease ⁸ has also been described. Carriers are therefore sometimes termed ‘Worriers’ ⁹.

Conversely those carrying two copies of the ‘G’ allele display higher COMT activity which is associated with decreased dopamine levels in the brain. This increased activity is thought to lead to a higher pain threshold ⁶ and capacity to deal with stress ⁷, at the expense of a reduction in cognitive performance in non-stressful environments. Therefore, carriers of two ‘G’ alleles are sometimes termed ‘Warriors’ ⁹.

Outside of neurological conditions the ‘A’ allele, which is associated with low activity, is linked with increases in the potentially harmful homocysteine ¹⁰; often associated with an elevated cardiovascular risk ¹¹. As the ‘A’ allele form of COMT displays reduced methylation activity its methyl donor source (methionine) builds up. Methionine is typically formed by the processing of homocysteine using either methionine synthase (MTR) or betaine homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT). Typically methionine is rapidly used, however when it accumulates it blocks further MTR or BHMT activity leading to a homocysteine accumulation.

However, it is important to note that the interaction between genetics and behaviour is very complex. While alterations in COMT activity undoubtedly have an effect there are many other factors which influence our behaviour ¹².

Direct Nutrients:^*

Ingredient	Active Ingredient	Effect
Magnesium		Magnesium is a cofactor for COMT, required for its efficient activity ¹³. Those carrying two copies of the ‘A’ allele of G472A, which is associated with a significant reduction in COMT activity may therefore benefit from magnesium supplementation. Whilst no studies have directly assessed the impact on magnesium on those carrying two copies of the ‘A’ allele a general anti-depressive effect has been described ¹⁴. As magnesium is vital for a wide variety of functions it is not recommended for those carrying the ‘G’ allele to try and reduce magnesium intake.
Vitamin B6	Pyridoxal phosphate	The ‘A’ allele of G472A is associated with an accumulation of homocysteine ¹⁰, potentially driven by inhibition of MTR and BHMT activity caused by a buildup of methionine. Along with MTR and BHMT there is an alternative pathway to clear homocysteine using cystathionine β synthase (CBS) and cystathionine γ ligase (CTH). As opposed to MTR and BHMT which form methionine, CBS and CTH form cysteine, and so should not be limited by methionine accumulation. Both of these enzymes use vitamin B6 as a cofactor, in the absence of vitamin B6 the activity of both enzymes is reduced ¹⁵. Therefore those carrying the ‘A’ allele may benefit from vitamin B6 supplementation to ensure maximal CBS and CTH activity.

Ingredient

Active Ingredient

Effect

Magnesium

Magnesium is a cofactor for COMT, required for its efficient activity ¹³.

Those carrying two copies of the ‘A’ allele of G472A, which is associated with a significant reduction in COMT activity may therefore benefit from magnesium supplementation. Whilst no studies have directly assessed the impact on magnesium on those carrying two copies of the ‘A’ allele a general anti-depressive effect has been described ¹⁴.

As magnesium is vital for a wide variety of functions it is not recommended for those carrying the ‘G’ allele to try and reduce magnesium intake.

Vitamin B6

Pyridoxal phosphate

The ‘A’ allele of G472A is associated with an accumulation of homocysteine ¹⁰, potentially driven by inhibition of MTR and BHMT activity caused by a buildup of methionine.

Along with MTR and BHMT there is an alternative pathway to clear homocysteine using cystathionine β synthase (CBS) and cystathionine γ ligase (CTH). As opposed to MTR and BHMT which form methionine, CBS and CTH form cysteine, and so should not be limited by methionine accumulation.

Both of these enzymes use vitamin B6 as a cofactor, in the absence of vitamin B6 the activity of both enzymes is reduced ¹⁵.

Therefore those carrying the ‘A’ allele may benefit from vitamin B6 supplementation to ensure maximal CBS and CTH activity.

Discuss this information with your doctor before taking any course of action.

Citations:

C186T

Science Grade :

A-

Brain Health

rsID Number	Major Allele	Minor Allele	Minor Allele Frequency (%)	Major Amino Acid	Minor Amino Acid
rs4633	c	t	47	His	His

Risk Description

C186T is often reference as an independent driver of poor health outcome. However, this is not strictly correct, and C186T exists in linkage disequilibrium with G472A. Simply put the ‘C’ allele of C186T is always present when the ‘G’ allele of G472A is. Similarly the ‘T’ allele of C186T is always present when the ‘A’ allele of G472A is. This close linkage can be observed in the identical minor allele frequency (47%) associated with each SNP ¹⁶.

C186T was often therefore used as a proxy for G472A due to difficulties with its analysis. However, modern consumer genetic testing kits are able to accurately differentiate between G472A allele making assessment of C186T redundant.

Discuss this information with your doctor before taking any course of action.

Risk Description

Direct Nutrients:*

Citations:

Risk Description

Citations:

Direct Nutrients:^*