Genetic polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) in ethnic populations in Texas; a report of a novel MTHFR polymorphic site, G1793A.

The importance of hyperhomocysteinemia, birth defects, and vascular diseases has been the subject of intense investigations. The polymorphic MTHFR mutations (C677T and A1298C) cause mild hyperhomocysteinemia, especially in homozygotes for C677T, but also in compound heterozygotes for C677T/A1298C. The subject of this report is the frequency of the polymorphic mutations in the MTHFR gene C677T, C1298A, and newly discovered mutation G1793A, as well as the association with MTRR polymorphic site A66G in different ethnic groups. Four ethnic groups were studied: African-Americans, Caucasians, Hispanics, and Ashkenazi Jews. There are statistically significant differences in the frequency of these alleles in the different populations studied, which impacts compound heterozygosity for such alleles in these populations. DNA samples obtained from the blood of healthy individuals of African-Americans, Hispanics, and Caucasians from south Texas were analyzed and compared to those obtained from Ashkenazi Jewish individuals. The polymorphic site, the G1793A allele, is least frequent among Ashkenazi individuals, 1.3%, compared to 6.9% among Caucasians (P = 0.001), 5.8% among Hispanics (P = 0.012), and 3.1% among African-Americans. The MTRR polymorphic site shows the lowest allele frequency among Hispanics, 28.6%, compared to 34% among African-Americans, 43.1% among Ashkenazi Jews (P = 0.002), and 54.4% among Caucasians (P < 0.0001). Statistically significant differences in allele frequencies of C677T and C1298A polymorphisms were also observed in these populations. Compound heterozygosity for multiple polymorphic alleles may play a role in birth defects and vascular diseases.     

Response to “genetic polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) in ethnic populations in Texas; a report of a novel MTHFR polymorphic site,G1793A”

The common 4977 base pair mitochondrial deletion has been identified in association with a number of distinct clinical phenotypes. These include the Kearns‐Sayre syndrome, the Pearson marrow‐pancreas syndrome, and chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia. We report the clinical and pathological findings in two siblings in whom the 4977 base pair mitochondrial DNA deletion was identified in muscle‐derived mitochondrial DNA. One sibling manifested early onset liver and renal failure, and both developed prominent peripheral sensorimotor neuropathy. These clinical findings have not been previously described in association with the 4977bp mtDNA deletion and thus represent a further expansion of the spectrum of mitochondrial disease. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Influence of combined methionine synthase (MTR 2756A > G) and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR 677C > T) polymorphisms to plasma homocysteine levels in Korean patients with ischemic stroke

PURPOSE: Methionine synthase (MTR) and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) are the main regulatory enzymes for homocysteine metabolism. The present case- control study was conducted to determine whether there is an association between the MTR 2756A > G or MTHFR 677C > T polymorphism and plasma homocysteine concentration in Korean subjects with ischemic stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DNA samples of 237 patients who had an ischemic stroke and 223 age and sex-matched controls were studied. MTR 2756A > G and MTHFR 677C > T genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). RESULTS: Frequencies of mutant alleles for MTR and MTHFR polymorphisms were not significantly different between the controls and cases. The patient group, however, had significantly higher homocysteine concentrations of the MTR 2756AA and MTHFR 677TT genotypes than the control group (p=0.04 for MTR, p=0.01 for MTHFR). The combined MTR 2756AA and MTHFR 677TT genotype (p= 0.04) and the homocysteine concentrations of the patient group were also higher than those of the controls. In addition, the genotype distribution was significant in the MTHFR 677TT genotype (p=0.008) and combined MTR 2756AA and MTHFR 677TT genotype (p=0.03), which divided the groups into the top 20% and bottom 20% based on their homocysteine levels. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study demonstrate that the MTR 2756A > G and MTHFR 677C > T polymorphisms interact with elevated total homocysteine (tHcy) levels, leading to an increased risk of ischemic stroke.     

MTRR基因A66G多态性与动脉粥样硬化性脑梗塞的相关性研究

目的研究蛋氨酸合成酶还原酶(MTRR)基因A66G多态性与动脉粥样硬化性脑梗塞发生的关系。方法采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片断长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)法对106例动脉粥样硬化性脑梗塞(ACI)患者,152例健康对照者MTRR的A66G进行基因分析,比较上述各组基因型和等位基因频率分布有无差异。结果MTRR基因型频率分布差异有显著性(P<0.05)。结论MTRR基因A66G多态性与动脉粥样硬化性脑梗塞发生相关。     

Association of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms with genetic susceptibility to gastric cancer: a meta-analysis

To clarify the influence of MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms on gastric cancer (GC), a meta-analysis of eight case-control studies (1,584/2,785 cases/controls) was carried out. Overall, there was moderate heterogeneity among studies, and the C677T allele T was associated with a 27% increased risk of GC compared with C allele: the random effects (RE) OR (95% confidence interval in parenthesis) was significant [OR=1.27 (1.13–1.44)]. In East Asians, the association was significant: RE OR=1.28 (1.14–1.44), whereas, in Caucasians it was not significant. Regarding gastric cancer adenocarcinoma (GCA), an association for the allele contrast in East Asians was detected: fixed effects (FE) OR=1.36 (1.18–1.56). The recessive model for allele T produced significant results overall and in East Asians for GC [FE OR=1.47 (1.26–1.72) and FE OR=1.61 (1.32–1.96), respectively] and for GCA [RE OR=1.53 (1.13–2.05) and FE OR=1.70 (1.36–2.12)]. The A1298C polymorphism was associated with GCA in East Asians: the FE OR for the allele contrast (C vs. A) was 1.38 (1.18–1.62), and under a recessive model for allele C, OR=1.62 (1.28–2.06). There were no sources of bias in the selected studies; the differential magnitude of effect in large versus small studies was not significant. In conclusion, there is evidence of association between MTHFR polymorphisms and GC, mainly in East Asians.     

MTRR基因A66G多态性与子痫前期发生的相关研究

目的研究蛋氨酸合成酶还原酶(MTRR)基因A66G多态性与子痫前期发生的关系。方法采用聚合酶链反应—限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)法对32例子痫前期,70例正常妊娠女性MTRR的A66G进行基因分析。比较上述各组基因型和等位基因频率分布有无差异。结果MTRR基因A66G突变型等位基因G频率在实验组和对照组中有显著性差异,GG基因型频率分布差异有显著性(P<0.05)。AG基因型比AA基因型发生子痫前期风险高1.98倍,GG基因型比AA基因型发生子痫前期风险高5.2倍。结论MTRR A66G基因多态性与子痫前期发生相关,AG、GG基因型增加了子痫前期的发生风险。     

Association of 677C>T polymorphism of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphism 677C>T has been shown to be a risk factor for psychiatric disorders. We investigated the genotype and allelic frequencies of MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism in the group of patients with bipolar disorder type I (BDI) (n = 200) and schizophrenia (n = 200), and in the control group (n = 300). Odds ratio (OR) for patients with BD and schizophrenia with 677T allele was 1.988 ((95% CI = 1.370–2.883); P = 0.0003 (P = 0.0006 after Bonferroni correction)) and 1.796 ((95% CI = 1.237–2.609); P = 0.0020 (P = 0.0040 after Bonferroni correction)), respectively. The stratification of patients based on gender revealed significant association of 677T allele with male patients with BDI and schizophrenia (OR = 2.393; 95% CI = 1.429–4.006; P = 0.0008 and OR = 2.036; 95% CI = 1.207–3.433; P = 0.0073, respectively). This finding indicates possible association of BD and schizophrenia with the 1p36.3 MTHFR locus.     

Genetic polymorphisms in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and methionine synthase,folate levels in red blood cells,and risk of neural tube defects

Folic acid administration to women in the periconceptional period reduces the occurrence of neural tube defects (NTDs) in their offspring. A polymorphism in the gene encoding methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), 677C→12;T, is the first genetic risk factor for NTDs in man identified at the molecular level. The gene encoding another folate-dependent enzyme, methionine synthase (MTR), has recently been cloned and a common variant, 2756A→12;G, has been identified. We assessed genotypes and folate status in 56 patients with spina bifida, 62 mothers of patients, 97 children without NTDs (controls), and 90 mothers of controls, to determine the impact of these factors on NTD risk. Twenty percent of cases and 18% of case mothers were homozygous for the MTHFR polymorphism, compared to 11% of controls and 11% of control mothers, indicating that the mutant genotype conferred an increased risk for NTDs. The risk was further increased if both mother and child had this genotype. The MTR polymorphism was associated with a decreased O.R. (O.R.); none of the cases and only 10% of controls were homozygous for this variant. Red blood cell (RBC) folate was lower in cases and in case mothers, compared to their respective controls. Having a RBC folate in the lowest quartile of the control distribution was associated with an O.R. of 2.56 (95% CI 1.28–5.13) for being a case and of 3.05 (95% CI 1.54–6.03) for being a case mother. The combination of homozygous mutant MTHFR genotype and RBC folate in the lowest quartile conferred an O.R. for being a NTD case of 13.43 (CI 2.49–72.33) and an O.R. for having a child with NTD of 3.28 (CI 0.84–12.85). We propose that the genetic-nutrient interaction—MTHFR polymorphism and low folate status—is associated with a greater risk for NTDs than either variable alone. Am. J. Med. Genet. 84:151–157, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

妊娠高血压综合征与MTHFR A1298C基因及血浆同型半胱氨酸水平的关系

目的探讨妊娠高血压综合征与N5,N10鄄亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶(MTHFRA1298C)基因及血浆同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)水平的关系。方法运用多聚酶链反应鄄限制性内切酶片段长度多态性技术(PCR鄄RFLP)检测54例妊高征患者,100例正常妊娠妇女(MTHFRA1298C基因多态性,采用荧光偏振免疫法(FPIA)测定血浆总Hcy水平。结果MTHFRA1298C三种基因型频率与对照组相比差异无显著性,与患者不同临床特征无明显关联。妊高征组总Hcy水平明显高于正常妊娠组(P<0.05)。结论MTHFRA1298C基因突变与妊高征发生无关;高同型半胱氨酸血症是妊高征发病的一个新的危险因素。     

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR): The incidence of mutations C677T and A1298C in the Ashkenazi Jewish population

The polymorphic mutation C677T in the gene of MTHFR is considered a risk mutation for spina bifida and vascular disease. Another common mutation on the MTHFR gene, A1298C, has also been described as another risk mutation. We studied the frequencies of these two mutations on DNA samples from healthy Jewish individuals and compared them to the frequency of these mutations in DNA samples obtained from healthy individuals in South Texas. The presence of the C677T allele was determined by PCR and Hinf I digestion, and mutation A1298C by PCR and Mbo II digestion. A total of 310 alleles was examined for C677T in the Ashkenazi samples and 400 alleles in the non-Jewish samples. The rate of C677T among the Ashkenazi Jewish alleles was 47.7% as compared to 28.7% among the alleles from the non-Jewish population. The difference is statistically significant, P < 0.0005. Mutation A1298C was examined in 298 alleles of Jewish individuals and 374 alleles of non-Jewish counterparts from Texas. The rate of the A1298C mutation in the Jewish samples was 27.2% whereas in the non-Jewish was 35%. This was also statistically significant, P < 0.031. No individuals were homozygous for both mutations or were found to be homozygous for one mutation with heterozygosity of the other mutation, and that the C677T and the A1298C alleles did not occur in cis position. This study shows a unique distribution of C677T and the A1298C alleles among the Ashkenazi Jews. In spite of high frequency of C677T mutation, spina bifida is less common among Ashkenazi Jews. Further studies are needed to establish whether the C677T and the A1298C mutations have an impact on vascular disease in the Ashkenazi Jewish population. Am. J. Med. Genet. 86:380–384, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Methionine synthase (MTR) 2756 (A --> G) polymorphism,double heterozygosity methionine synthase 2756 AG/methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) 66 AG,and elevated homocysteinemia are three risk factors for having a child with Down syndrome

Contradictory findings have been recently published on the evaluation of genetic polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR 677 C-->T) and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR 66 A-->G) as risk factors for having a child with Down syndrome (DS); however, the influence of polymorphisms of methionine synthase (MTR 2756 A-->G) and of MTHFR 1298 A-->C has never been evaluated. In this study, the risk of being a DS case or having a DS child (case mother) was studied by multiple logistic regression analysis of the independent and combined genotypes and of plasma homocysteine, folates, and vitamin B12 in 92 DS cases and 140 control subjects as well as in 63 case mothers and 72 age-matched control mothers from Sicily. (The MTHFR 677 T allele frequency was not different in DS cases and case mothers, compared to the respective control groups). After adjustment for age, total homocysteine (t-Hcys) and MTR 2756 AG/GG genotype were significant risk factors for having a DS child, with odds ratio (OR) of 6.7 (95% CI: 1.4-32.0, P = 0.016) and of 3.5 (95% CI: 1.2-10.9, P = 0.028), respectively. By comparison, MTR 2756 AG/GG genotype increased significantly the risk of being a DS case, with an OR of 3.8 (95% CI: 1.4-10.5, P = 0.009). The double heterozygosity MTR 2756 AG/MTRR 66 AG was the single combined genotype that was a significant risk factor for having a DS child, with an OR estimated at 5.0 (95% CI: 1.1-24.1), after adjustment for t-Hcys. In conclusion, our results provide evidences that homocysteine and MTR genetic polymorphism are two potent risk factors for mothers to have a DS child in Sicily.     

Genetic polymorphisms in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and methionine synthase, folate levels in red blood cells, and risk of neural tube defects.

Folic acid administration to women in the periconceptional period reduces the occurrence of neural tube defects (NTDs) in their offspring. A polymorphism in the gene encoding methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), 677C-->T, is the first genetic risk factor for NTDs in man identified at the molecular level. The gene encoding another folate-dependent enzyme, methionine synthase (MTR), has recently been cloned and a common variant, 2756A-->G, has been identified. We assessed genotypes and folate status in 56 patients with spina bifida, 62 mothers of patients, 97 children without NTDs (controls), and 90 mothers of controls, to determine the impact of these factors on NTD risk. Twenty percent of cases and 18% of case mothers were homozygous for the MTHFR polymorphism, compared to 11% of controls and 11% of control mothers, indicating that the mutant genotype conferred an increased risk for NTDs. The risk was further increased if both mother and child had this genotype. The MTR polymorphism was associated with a decreased O.R. (O.R.); none of the cases and only 10% of controls were homozygous for this variant. Red blood cell (RBC) folate was lower in cases and in case mothers, compared to their respective controls. Having a RBC folate in the lowest quartile of the control distribution was associated with an O.R. of 2.56 (95% CI 1.28-5.13) for being a case and of 3.05 (95% CI 1.54-6.03) for being a case mother. The combination of homozygous mutant MTHFR genotype and RBC folate in the lowest quartile conferred an O.R. for being a NTD case of 13.43 (CI 2.49-72.33) and an O.R. for having a child with NTD of 3.28 (CI 0.84-12.85). We propose that the genetic-nutrient interaction--MTHFR polymorphism and low folate status--is associated with a greater risk for NTDs than either variable alone.     

Genetic polymorphism of orosomucoid (ORM) in populations of the United Kingdom,Indian subcontinent,and Cambodia

Summary The genetic variation of the human serum orosomucoid (ORM) was investigated by isoelectric focusing (IEF) followed by immunofixation in 15 different populations from East Midlands (United Kingdom), India, Sri Lanka, and Cambodia. Statistically significant differences were observed between various Asiatic and British populations, however differences within Asiatic and European populations were minor. The distribution ofORM1 alleles in populations investigated to date suggests an interesting east-west geographical cline. There is a suggestion that present day wide polymorphism at theORM1 locus may be influenced by selection.     

Serum homocysteine, vitamin B12, folic acid levels and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphism in vitiligo

The aim of this study was to determine serum vitamin B12, folic acid and homocysteine (Hcy) levels as well as MTHFR (C677, A1298C) gene polymorphisms in patients with vitiligo, and to compare the results with healthy controls. Forty patients with vitiligo and 40 age and sex matched healthy subjects were studied. Serum vitamin B12 and folate levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Plasma Hcy levels and MTHFR polymorphisms were determined by chemiluminescence and real time PCR methods, respectively. Mean serum vitamin B12 and Hcy levels were not significantly different while folic acid levels were significantly lower in the control group. There was no significant relationship between disease activity and vitamin B12, folic acid and homocystein levels. No significant difference in C677T gene polymorphism was detected. Heterozygote A1298C gene polymorphism in the patient group was statistically higher than the control group. There was no significant relationship between MTHFR gene polymorphisms and vitamin B12, folic acid and homocysteine levels. In conclusion, vitamin B12, folate and Hcy levels are not altered in vitiligo and MTHFR gene mutations (C677T and A1298C) do not seem to create susceptibility for vitiligo.     

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and age of onset in schizophrenia: A combined analysis of independent samples

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is involved in the one‐carbon cycle, which is of importance for nucleotide synthesis and methylation of DNA, membranes, proteins and lipids. The MTHFR gene includes two common polymorphisms (rs1801133 or C677T; rs1801131 or A1298C) which both alter enzyme activity. The T‐allele of the C677T polymorphism has recently been associated with earlier age at onset of schizophrenia. In the present study we examined the association between the MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and age at onset of schizophrenia in twelve samples consisting of 3,213 unrelated schizophrenia patients, including the original Scandinavian sample. There was no consistent relationship between MTHFR C677T, A1298C or combined 677T/1298C carriers and age of onset in schizophrenia when the results of each study were combined using meta‐analysis. The present results suggest that the investigated MTHFR polymorphisms do not influence age of onset in schizophrenia. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Lack of association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and ischaemic heart disease (IHD): family-based association study in a Spanish population

The effect of the C677T polymorphism in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, traditionally associated with ischaemic heart disease (IHD), was assessed in a Spanish population. The transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) was used to determine a possible association in a sample of 101 trios of IHD patients. The distribution of MTHFR genotypes was similar in the IHD subjects and the parental group; the TT genotype was present in 14.9% of IHD patients, as compared to 15.2% in the parents. The frequency of the T allele was also similar in IHD cases and parents (39.6% vs. 42.4%; p = 0.649). The TDT confirmed that the observed transmission of the T allele did not deviate significantly from the expected one (chi2 = 0.743; p > 0.4). Our TDT analysis clearly demonstrates a lack of association between the T allele of the C677T mutation in MTHFR and cardiovascular artery disease, both for the general group and for different risk subgroups (smokers, hypertension, male sex, overweight and type A behaviour pattern) in the Spanish population.     

Genetic polymorphisms and phenotypic analysis of drug-metabolizing enzyme CYP2C19 in a Li Chinese population

CYP2C19 is a highly polymorphic gene and CYP2C19 enzyme results in broad inter-individual variability in response to certain clinical drugs, while little is known about the genetic variation of CYP2C19 in Li Chinese population. The aim of this study was to identify different CYP2C19 mutant alleles and determine their frequencies, along with genotype frequencies, in the Li Chinese population. We used DNA sequencing to investigate promoter, exons, introns, and 3’UTR of the CYP2C19 gene in 100 unrelated healthy Li individuals from Hainan Province, China. We also used SIFT and PolyPhen-2 to predict the protein function of the non-synonymous mutation in CYP2C19 coding regions. We identified 22 different CYP2C19 polymorphisms in the Li Chinese population, including three novel variants (-254A > G, 17807T > C and 58025C > T). The allele frequencies of CYP2C19*1A, *1B, *2A and *3A were 50%, 24%, 24.5%, and 1.5%, respectively. The most common genotype combinations were *1A/*1B (48%) and *1A/*2A (49%). Additionally, the mutation Ala161Pro was predicted to be intolerant and possibly damaging by SIFT and PolyPhen-2, respectively. Our results shed new light on CYP2C19 polymorphisms in Li individuals, which may help to optimize pharmacotherapy effectiveness by providing personalized medicine to this ethnic group.     

Genetic relatedness of indigenous ethnic groups in northern Borneo to neighboring populations from Southeast Asia,as inferred from genome‐wide SNP data

The region of northern Borneo is home to the current state of Sabah, Malaysia. It is located closest to the southern Philippine islands and may have served as a viaduct for ancient human migration onto or off of Borneo Island. In this study, five indigenous ethnic groups from Sabah were subjected to genome‐wide SNP genotyping. These individuals represent the “North Borneo”‐speaking group of the great Austronesian family. They have traditionally resided in the inland region of Sabah. The dataset was merged with public datasets, and the genetic relatedness of these groups to neighboring populations from the islands of Southeast Asia, mainland Southeast Asia and southern China was inferred. Genetic structure analysis revealed that these groups formed a genetic cluster that was independent of the clusters of neighboring populations. Additionally, these groups exhibited near‐absolute proportions of a genetic component that is also common among Austronesians from Taiwan and the Philippines. They showed no genetic admixture with Austro‐Melanesian populations. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis showed that they are closely related to non–Austro‐Melansian Filipinos as well as to Taiwan natives but are distantly related to populations from mainland Southeast Asia. Relatively lower heterozygosity and higher pairwise genetic differentiation index (F_ST) values than those of nearby populations indicate that these groups might have experienced genetic drift in the past, resulting in their differentiation from other Austronesians. Subsequent formal testing suggested that these populations have received no gene flow from neighboring populations. Taken together, these results imply that the indigenous ethnic groups of northern Borneo shared a common ancestor with Taiwan natives and non–Austro‐Melanesian Filipinos and then isolated themselves on the inland of Sabah. This isolation presumably led to no admixture with other populations, and these individuals therefore underwent strong genetic differentiation. This report contributes to addressing the paucity of genetic data on representatives from this strategic region of ancient human migration event(s).     

MTHFR基因C677T多态性与Down综合征发生的相关研究

目的研究亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶(MTHFR)基因C677T多态性与Down综合征关系。方法采用聚合酶链反应—限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)法对32例DS患儿母亲,70例未生育DS患儿女性MTHFR的C677T进行基因分析。比较上述各组基因型和等位基因频率分布有无差异。结果MTHFR基因C677T突变型等位基因(T)频率在实验组和对照组中有显著性差异,CC、TT基因型频率分布差异有显著性(P<0.05)。CT基因型比CC基因型生育DS患儿风险高2.84倍,TT基因型比CC基因型生育DS患儿风险高9.26倍。结论MTHFRC677T基因多态性与Down综合征发生相关,TT基因型增加了Down综合征的发生风险,CC基因型是降低Down综合征发生的保护性因素。