Pharmacogenetics of sulfotransferase.

Cytosolic sulfotransferase catalyzes sulfoconjugation of relatively small lipophilic endobiotics and xenobiotics. At least 44 cytosolic sulfotransferases have been identified from mammals, and based on their amino acid sequences, these forms are shown to constitute five different families. In humans, 10 sulfotransferase genes have been identified and shown to localize on at least five different chromosomes. The enzymatic properties characterized in the recombinant forms indicate the association of their substrate specificity with metabolisms of such nonpeptide hormones as estrogen, corticoid, and thyroxine, although most forms are also active on the sulfation of various xenobiotics. Genetic polymorphisms are observed on such human sulfotransferases as ST1A2, ST1A3, and ST2A3.