SLCO1B1
Solute carrier organic anion transporter 1B1
Gene Number: 10599
Location: 12p12.1
Key Functions: Liver uptake of medicines, statin transport, bilirubin transport
SLCO1B1 produces OATP1B1, a transporter that moves certain medicines from the bloodstream into liver cells. This includes several statins, which lower LDL cholesterol [R].
The rs4149056 variant affects how efficiently this transporter works. Its C allele reduces liver uptake, increasing blood exposure to certain statins and the likelihood of muscle side effects. The strongest evidence concerns simvastatin, particularly at higher doses [R].
This free report explains your TT, TC or CC genotype and its relevance to statin treatment. Explore our pharmacogenetics reports for more drug-response findings.
SNP ID | Your Genotype | Alt Allele | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
rs4149056 | Analyze your DNA to see your genotype | C | Analyze your DNA to see a personalized result. |
rs4149056
TT – Typical transport at this marker. No copies of the reduced-function C allele (R).
TC – Reduced transport. One C allele reduces liver uptake of certain statins, increasing blood exposure and susceptibility to muscle side effects (R).
CC – More substantially reduced transport. Two C alleles produce a stronger effect on statin handling and increase susceptibility to simvastatin-related muscle toxicity (R).
Functional effect: The C allele reduces OATP1B1 transporter function, so certain statins enter liver cells less efficiently and remain at higher concentrations in the bloodstream. (R).
How Much Does Risk Increase?
In the SEARCH study of people taking simvastatin 80 mg daily, myopathy odds were approximately 4.5× higher per C allele. People with CC had 16.9× the odds compared with TT. Myopathy refers to muscle injury, rather than ordinary muscle soreness. These figures apply to that drug and dose—not to every statin regimen (R).
What this means for treatment: If you take a statin, discuss this result with your prescriber or pharmacist before changing treatment. They can assess whether confirmatory testing, a different dose or another statin is appropriate.
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