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COMT Val158Met

Meaning

COMT Val158Met is a common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) gene, which affects the enzyme’s ability to metabolize catecholamines and certain estrogen metabolites. The variation involves a substitution of the amino acid valine (Val) with methionine (Met) at position 158, resulting in a clinically significant reduction in enzymatic activity. This genetic variation can influence an individual’s neuroendocrine response to stress, pain sensitivity, and the detoxification of estrogenic compounds.