The total serum homocysteine as an indicator of vitamin B12 and folate status

Presented is a modification of an assay for total serum homocysteine (Hcy) in which the Hcy plus radioactive adenosine is converted enzymatically to labeled S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy). The modifications included a commerical source for the AdoHcy hydrolase, adenosine labeled with either 14C or 3H, and separation of the AdoHcy by thin layer chromatography. The assay was sensitive to 25 pmol. Hcy levels in sera from 18 controls ranged from 6.9 to 12.1 mumol/L with a mean of 9.1 and a SD of 1.5 mumol/L. The total serum Hcy was increased in vitamin B12 and folate deficiency. The level was high in congenital defects of vitamin B12 metabolism, blocking the methylation of Hcy regardless of the serum vitamin B12 levels, but was normal in the absence of tissue deficiency even if the serum vitamin B12 levels were low. The procedure has been found practical in two years of use and requires only 0.1 mL of serum.     

Functional analysis of human S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase isoforms SAHH-2 and SAHH-3

S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (AdoHcyase) catalyzes the hydrolysis of AdoHcy to adenosine and homocysteine. Increased levels of AdoHcy may play a role in the development of cardiovascular diseases and numerous other conditions associated with hyperhomocysteinemia. Several polymorphic isoforms named SAHH-1 to 4 may be resolved by horizontal starch gel electrophoresis from red blood cells. We have identified the genetic background of isoforms SAHH-2 and SAHH-3. SAHH-2 represents the previously described polymorphism in exon 2 of the AdoHcyase gene (112 C>T; p.R38W). Isoform SAHH-3 is based on a new polymorphism in exon 3 (377 G>A), leading to the conversion of glycine to arginine at amino-acid position 123. To shed light on the effects of these polymorphisms on the molecular and catalytic properties of AdoHcyase, we made recombinant wild-type and polymorphic R38W and G123R enzymes for a comparative analysis. The amino-acid exchanges did not bring about major changes to the catalytic rates of the recombinant proteins. However, circular dichroism analysis showed that both polymorphisms effect the thermal stability of the recombinant protein in vitro, reducing the unfolding temperature by approximately 2.6 degrees C (R38W) and 1.5 degrees C (G123R) compared to wild-type protein. In view of the altered thermal stability, and slightly decreased enzymatic activity of polymorphic proteins (< or =6%), one may consider the analyzed AdoHcyase isoforms as risk markers for diseases caused by irregular AdoHcyase metabolism.     

Effect of EME1 exon variant Ile350Thr on risk and early onset of breast cancer in southern Chinese women

Essential meiotic endonuclease 1 homolog 1 (EME1) is a key DNA repair protein that participates in the recognition and repair of DNA double-strand breaks. Deficiency of the EME1 gene can lead to spontaneous genomic instability and thus contribute to tumorgenesis. We hypothesized that the exon variants of EME1 confer genetic susceptibility to breast cancer. In a case-control study of 748 breast cancer patients and 778 normal controls, we analyzed the association between two exon variants of EME1 (i.e.,Ile350Thr: rs12450550T > C and Glu69Asp: rs3760413T > G) and breast cancer risk. We found that compared to the common Ile/Ile genotype, the Thr variant genotypes (Thr/Ile + Thr/Thr) conferred a 1.47-fold increased risk of breast cancer (OR=1.47, 95% CI=1.13-1.92). The variant Ile350Thr was also associated with early onset of breast cancer (r = -0.116, P = 0.002). The mean age of onset was 44.4 years for Thr/Thr genotype carriers and 46.5 years for Thr/Ile genotype carriers, which was significantly lower than that (49.4 years) for Ile/Ile genotype carriers (P = 0.006). Moreover, no significant association was observed between the Glu69Asp variant and breast cancer risk. Our findings suggest that the EME1 variant Ile350Thr contributes to an increased risk and early onset of breast cancer.     

S‐adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (AHCY) deficiency: Two novel mutations with lethal outcome

This paper reports studies of two novel, allelic missense mutations found in the S‐adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (AHCY) gene from a new case of AHCY deficiency in an infant girl who died at age four months. The mutations lead to replacement of arginine with cysteine (p.Arg49Cys) and aspartic acid with glycine (p.Asp86Gly). Functional analysis of recombinant proteins containing the mutations detected showed that both dramatically reduce AHCY activity. The p.Arg49Cys mutant protein forms intermolecular disulphide bonds, leading to macromolecular structures that can be prevented by reducing agent DTT. The p.Asp86Gly protein tends to form enzymatically inactive aggregates and the loss of a single negative charge as a result of the mutation is involved in enzyme inactivation. We show that replacing Gly86 with negatively charged Glu86 in mutant protein restores enzymatic activity to 70% of wild‐type, whereas changing Gly86 to positively charged Lys86 or uncharged Leu86 does not improve enzyme activity, indicating that the negative charge is important for maintenance of such activity. These studies significantly extend knowledge about the importance of residue 86 for AHCY activity. Residue 86 has not been implicated before in this way and the results suggest that the present model of S‐ adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) hydrolysis may need refinement. Our functional studies provide novel insight into the molecular defect underlying AHCY deficiency and reveal that both low enzyme activity and protein stability of AHCY contribute to the clinical phenotype. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Polymorphisms in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and methionine synthase reductase genes and homocysteine levels in Brazilian children

Hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for thrombosis, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) polymorphisms, folate, and B12 levels could contribute to plasma homocysteine (Hcy) variation. Although well established in adults, few studies have been performed in childhood. In this study, we investigated association of polymorphisms C677T and A1298C in the MTHFR gene and A66G in the MTRR gene with Hcy levels in children. These polymorphisms, as well as Hcy, folate, and vitamin B12 levels were investigated in 220 normal children with ages ranging from 1 to 8 years. Plasma Hcy, folate, and vitamin B12 levels were normal in all children. None of the polymorphisms could be considered an independent risk factor for hyperhomocysteinemia during childhood. The median Hcy levels in 37 children (17%) doubly heterozygous for C677T and A1298C mutations in the MTHFR gene were not different from the other genotypes. However, the association of the different genotypes with Hcy, folate, and vitamin B12 levels demonstrated significant P-values. The folate levels demonstrated a statistically significant decrease (P = 0.0477) from the C677T mutation in the MTHFR gene (TT genotype) when compared to the other groups. Folate was the only independent risk factor for hyperhomocysteinemia. Thus, monitoring the concentrations of folate would be more helpful for evaluating hyperhomocysteinemia and for preventing cardiovascular disease.     

血浆同型半胱氨酸水平及其代谢酶基因多态性与脑梗死的相关性研究

目的 通过探讨同型半胱氨酸(homocysteinemia,Hcy)及其主要代谢酶突变基因与脑梗死的关系,明确遗传因素与脑梗死发病的关联性,为指导临床提供理论依据.方法 选择脑梗死患者与正常健康者各60例分别为脑梗死组、正常对照组.采用高效液相色谱法(high-performance liquid chromatography,HPLC)测定血浆Hcy水平,并应用聚合酶链式反应-限制性片段长度多态分析技术(polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism,PCR-RFLP)测定基因表型.结果 正常对照组与脑梗死组比较,Hcy水平明显偏高(P＜0.01),患者组有无高血压病史、高血脂病史、糖尿病病史,Hcy水平差异无统计学意义(P＞0.01).脑梗死组亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶(methylenetetralydrofolate,MTHFR)基因TT基因型与正常组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01),T等位基因频率明显高于正常对照组(P＜0.01).MTHFR C677T基因型和等位基因频率分布与正常组比较差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.01).MTHFR基因C677T纯合子基因型Hcy水平显著高于野生型(P＜0.01).丝氨酸在胱硫醚β合成酶(cystathionineβ-synthase,CBS)基因T27796C纯合子基因型血浆Hcy水平与杂合子基因型比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01),显著高于野生型(P＜0.01).Logistic回归分析脑梗死血浆Hcy水平和MTHFR C677T纯合子基因型关系密切.结论 Hcy水平与脑梗死的发病有一定关联性,可能是该病发生的一个独立危险因素.MTHFR基因C677T位点纯合子突变、CBS基因T27796C位点纯合子突变均可致血浆Hcy水平增高,可能是脑梗死发生的遗传因素.     

Maternal polymorphisms 677C-T and 1298A-C of MTHFR, and 66A-G MTRR genes: is there any relationship between polymorphisms of the folate pathway, maternal homocysteine levels, and the risk for having a child with Down syndrome?

This study was aimed at analyzing the effect of mutations in three non-synonymous SNP genes (677C > T and 1298A > C of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, and 66A > G in the MTRR gene) on total plasmatic homocysteine (Hcy), in 91 mothers of Down syndrome (DS) infants and 90 control mothers. The comparison of both groups of mothers is a new way to determine if those mutations and their interactions increase the risk for DS. Material came from the case-control network of the Spanish Collaborative Study of Congenital Malformations (ECEMC). Using a general lineal model in a backwards step, we performed the analyses including the different mutations, maternal age, the fact that each mother had a DS or a control infant, and all possible interactions of these variables, in the models, being maternal Hcy the continuous dependent variable. In another model, maternal folic acid intake during the third trimester of pregnancy was added. The results from both models were essentially the same: Hcy levels variability differs from case mothers to control ones, the presence of the MTHFR1298A > C polymorphism also affects significantly the Hcy variance, as it does the statistical interaction between the mutations MTRR66A > G and MTHFR1298A > C in the mother. In this sense, the interaction between different polymorphisms may totally modify their individual effects, and some of those effects are different in mothers of DS children and in controls' mothers. For instance, only two mutations in MTRR66 (GGAA) in mothers of control infants increase the reference maternal Hcy level in 4.66 units, and the individual effect of the genotype with only two mutations in the MTHFR1298 gene (AACC) increases the reference Hcy level in 12.74 units. However, the presence of the four mutations (GGCC) interacts giving a statistically significant decrease in 6.00 units in the level of Hcy in control mothers. On the contrary, in mothers of DS infants, the sole presence of two mutations in one of these two genes decreases the levels of Hcy (-2.31 units for GGAA genotype, and -3.43 units for AACC genotype), while the presence of the four mutations (GGCC) increases Hcy in 9.53 units. Taking into consideration that in the one-carbon metabolism cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) catalyzes Hcy in an irreversible way, and that CBS gene is located in chromosome 21, fetuses and infants with DS have functional folate deficiency due to overexpression of CBS. This fact, as well as others influencing Hcy levels (such as nutrients interactions and lifestyle), together with the fetal genotype, suggest that their relationship with DS could be through an effect on fetal survival up to birth. Three possible mechanisms are considered by evaluating the results in the light of the present knowledge on cytology and molecular biology.     

A Turkish patient with novel AHCY variants and presumed diagnosis of S‐adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase deficiency

S‐adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase deficiency is an autosomal recessive neurometabolic disorder affecting the muscles, liver, and nervous system. The disease occurs by pathogenic variants of AHCY gene encoding S‐adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (AHCY) enzyme. This article reports a patient with presumed AHCY deficiency who was diagnosed by whole exome sequencing due to compound heterozygosity of novel p.T57I (c.170C>T) and p.V217M (c.649G>A) variants of AHCY gene. The patient had diffuse edema, coagulopathy, central nervous system abnormalities, and hypotonia. She died in 3 months due to cardiovascular collapse. Clinical findings of the present case were compatible with previously reported AHCY deficiency patients and the novel variants we found are considered to be the cause of the symptoms. This article also compiles the previous reports and expands clinical spectrum of AHCY deficiency by adding new features.     

Association study between brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene polymorphisms and methamphetamine abusers in Japan.

Several lines of evidence suggest that genetic factors might contribute to drug abuse vulnerability. Recent genomic scans for association demonstrated that the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene was associated with drug abuse vulnerability. In this study, we analyzed association of two BDNF gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 132C > T (C270T named formerly) in the noncoding region of exon V and 196G > A (val66met) in the coding region of exon XIIIA, with methamphetamine (MAP) abuse in Japan. No significant differences were found in the frequency of the genotype or allele in these two SNPs between MAP abusers and controls (132C > T in exon V: genotype, P = 0.586, allele, P = 0.594; 196G > A (val66met) in exon XIIIA: genotype, P = 0.889, allele, P = 0.713). Furthermore, there was no difference between clinical parameters (e.g., prognosis psychosis, spontaneous relapse, or poly-substance abuse) and the two SNPs of BDNF gene. These results suggest that the two SNPs (132C > T in exon V and 196G > A (val66met) in exon XIIIA) of the BDNF gene may not be associated with Japanese MAP abusers. This article contains supplementary material, which may be viewed at the American Journal of Medical Genetics website at http://www.interscience.wiley.com/jpages/0148-7299:1/suppmat/index.html.     

亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶基因C677T突变与山东汉族人群深静脉血栓形成的相关性

目的 研究亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶（methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase,MTHFR）基因C677T突变与中国人深静脉血栓形成的关系。方法 采用聚合酶链反应－限制性片段长度多态性方法对山东汉族63例深静脉血栓形成患者和80名正常对照进行了MTHFR基因C677T突变检测，计算患者组与对照组的基因型频率，以及该突变与深静脉血栓形成的相关性。结果 患者组与对照组C／T杂合子频率分别为41.27%和43.75%；T／T纯合子频率分别为52.38%和36.25%。患者组突变频率较高（x^2＝6.372，P＜0.01，ORT／T＝4.552,95%可信区间：1.440-14.398;x^2=6.742,P=0.009）。结论 MTHFR基因C677T突变与山东汉族人群深静脉血栓形成有相关性。     

eNOS基因和FⅦ基因多态性与冠心病的相关性研究

目的 探讨内皮型一氧化氮合酶(endothelial nitric oxide synthase,eNOS)基因外显子7的Glu298Asp和凝血因子Ⅶ(coagulation factor VH,FVH)基因外显子8的Arg353Gin多态性与汉族人群冠心病(CHD)及老年人CHD发病的关系.方法 选取147例CHD患者和116例正常对照组人群,应用聚合酶链反瘟-限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)分析技术检测eNOS基因Glu298Asp和FⅦ基因Arg353G1n多态性.结果 ①eNOS基因Glu/Glu、Glu/Asp、Asp/Asp基因型频率CHD组分别为78.9%、20.4%、0.68%和对照组分别为89.7%、10.3%和0.0%;FⅦ基因型频率CHD组和对照组之间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);②Glu/Asp+Asp/Asp型和Asp等位基因频率CHD组(21.1%和10.9%)显著高于对照组(10.3%和5.2%)(P＜0.05),Asp等位基因对≥60岁老年人发生CHD的风险增高,OR=2.43,95%CI:1.22～4.86(P＜0.05);③携带FⅦ基因Arg/Gln+Gln/Gln型和Gin等位基因个体发生CHD的风险降低,OR=0.77,95%CI:0.33～0.56和OR=0.85,95%CI:0.38～0.53(P＞0.05).结论 eNOS基因Asp等位基因可能是汉族老年人CHD发病的遗传易感因素之一;FⅦ基因Arg353Gln多态性与CHD发病无关.     

Analysis of MDR1 haplotypes in Parkinson's disease in a white population

The MDR1 multidrug transporter is important in regulating environmental xenobiotics and hence may play a causative role in Parkinson's disease (PD). MDR1 haplotype comprising 2677 G > T/A and 3435 C > T may be protective against PD. Using a case control methodology, we investigated the association of MDR1 haplotypes (single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) 2677 G > T/A and 3435 C > T) in a Polish PD population. Seven SNPs, extending from the promoter to exon 28 of the MDR1 gene in 158 PD patients and 139 healthy controls were evaluated. Specifically we examined the association of haplotypes containing SNPs 2677 G > T/A and 3435 C > T and risk of PD. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to evaluate the effects of the covariates on the phenotypes. Haplotypes' frequencies were estimated using the Expectation-Maximization algorithm. The frequency of each individual SNPs; -41 A > G (intron -1), -145 C > G (exon 1), -129 T > C (exon 1), 1236 T > C (exon 12), 2677 G > T/A (exon 21), 3435 C > T (exon 26), and 4036 A > G (exon 28) did not differ between PD and controls. However, there was a trend towards significance in PD patients having the haplotype 2677G-3435C (p < 0.09, chi-square 2.85, odds ratio 0.25, 95% CI 0.06-1.08). Haplotype constructs of the other loci did not differ significantly between the two groups. There was a weak protective effect of the haplotype 2677G-3435C in our white population. However, the MDR1 haplotypes did not generally modulate the risk of PD.     

Impact of glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1 gene polymorphisms on the smoking-related coronary artery disease

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) plays a key role in the detoxification of xenobiotic atherogen generated by smoking. To analyze the effect of GSTM1/T1 gene polymorphisms on the development of smoking-related coronary artery disease (CAD), 775 Korean patients who underwent coronary angiography were enrolled. The subjects were classified by luminal diameter stenosis into group A (>50%), B (20-50%), or C (<20%). GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms were analyzed using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for GSTM1/T1 genes and CYP1A1 gene for internal control. Of 775 subjects, 403 patients belonged to group A. They had higher risk factors for CAD than group B (N=260) and group C (N=112). The genotype frequencies of null GSTM1 and GSTT1 showed no significant differences among 3 groups. Considering the effect of GSTM1 gene polymorphisms on the smoking-related CAD, smokers with GSTM1 null genotype had more increased risk for CAD than non-smoker with GSTM1 positive genotype (odds ratios [OR], 2.07, confidence interval [CI], 1.06-4.07). Also the effect of GSTT1 gene polymorphism on smoking-related CAD showed the same tendency as GSTM1 gene (OR, 2.00, CI, 1.05-3.84). This effect of GSTM1/T1 null genotype on smoking-related CAD was augmented when both gene polymorphisms were considered simultaneously (OR, 2.76, CI, 1.17-6.52). We concluded that GSTM1/T1 null genotype contributed to the pathogenesis of smoking-related CAD to some degree.     

PLA2G6 mutations in PARK14-linked young-onset parkinsonism and sporadic Parkinson's disease

Mutations of PLA2G6 gene have been lately proposed to be the causative gene for PARK14 in patients with autosomal recessive young-onset parkinsonism (YOPD). The role of PLA2G6 mutations as a risk factor for Parkinson's disease is not clear. To study the PLA2G6 mutations in PARK14-linked patients and its association with the onset of sporadic Parkinson's disease (sPD), sequencing and gene dosage analyses were carried out in 25 patients (onset age ≦30 years) then the identified variants were assessed in 956 sporadic PD (sPD) patients and 802 age-matched healthy controls. Four genetic variants were identified; one patient had homozygous c.991G > T (p.Asp331Tyr) mutation, two had compound heterozygous c.991G > T/c.1077G > A (p.Met358IlefsX) mutation, one had single c.1976A > G (p.Asn659Ser) mutation, and one patient had an exon 1 hetero-deletion. The c.1077G > A mutation resulted in a 4-bp deletion in leukocyte mRNA by activating a cryptic splice site in exon 7. Only p.Asp331Tyr was identified in four sPD patients and four controls. The onset age for PLA2G6 mutation carriers was younger than that for sPD (29.86 ± 8.59 vs. 56.84 ± 11.33 years, P = 0.0002). The analysis of previously reported PARK14 patients revealed that those who carried a truncated mutation tended to have a complicated phenotype and atrophies of cortex and cerebellum. In conclusion, PLA2G6 mutation was the second common genetic cause after PRKN mutation in our YOPD patients and might be a risk factor for early-onset PD in Han Chinese. Additionally, mutation data should be interpreted carefully because even a synonymous mutation could cause abnormal mRNA splicing.     

Cystathionine beta-synthase polymorphisms and hyperhomocysteinaemia: an association study

Hyperhomocysteinaemia is generally accepted as an independent and graded risk factor for both arterial occlusive disease and venous thrombosis. The only way of homocysteine degradation is conversion to cysteine in the transsulfuration pathway in which the regulating step is catalysed by cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS). Mild impairment of CBS function could therefore affect homocysteine concentration, in particular after methionine loading, and consequently cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We analysed two silent polymorphisms and one short tandem repeat in the CBS gene (ie 699C-->T, 1080C-->T and -5697 (GT) STR) as genetic markers potentially in linkage disequilibrium with a functional polymorphism. We assessed their association with fasting and post-methionine load homocysteine in 190 patients with arterial occlusive disease, and in 381 controls. No differences in CBS genotype frequencies between cases and controls were found, nor was a particular CBS genotype associated with an elevated risk of arterial occlusive disease. Although we did find a high rate of linkage disequilibrium between the two single nucleotide polymorphisms and the GT STR, none of the genotypes defined by the three CBS variants studied showed an association with elevated fasting, post-load or increase upon methionine loading homocysteine concentrations. In conclusion, we did not find any indication that genetic variation in the CBS gene is associated with increased homocysteine concentrations.     

The relationships between the single nueleotide polymorphisms of CACNA1S gene 11 exon and thyrotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis in the people of Han Nationality in Sichuan Province, China

The present research was aimed to investigate the relationships between the single nueleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CACNA1S gene 11 exon and thyrotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis (THPP)in the people of Han Nationality in Sichuan China. 100 male subjects were divided into four groups in this study, i.e., 22 patients with THPP, 23 patients with hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HPP), 33 patients with thyrotoxicosis but without hypokalemic periodic paralysis (NTHPP), and 22 healthy (control group) subjects. The sequences of the CACNA1S gene exon 11 polymorphisms, for the four groups respectively, were analysed by the SNPs method with polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and DNA direct sequencing. A meta-analysis of three additional studies was also performed. Three SNPs of exon 11 of the CACNA1S gene (C1491T, T1551C, C1564T) were present in all the four groups. The polymorphisms C1491T and T1551C were present in both homozygotes and heterozygotes, while the C1564T polymorphism was present only in heterozygotes. The genotype frequencies of variants at C1491T and T1551C were not significantly associated with TPP (dominant model: P=0.530 and P=0.568; allele frequency model: P=0.563 and P=0.568). A Meta-analysis yielded combined odds ratio (OR) for TPP of 2. 12 (95% CI: 0.80-5.60) at C1491T, 2.90 (95% CI: 0.71-11.78) at T1551C, and 1.61 (95% CI: 0.36-7.26) at C1564T with the dominant model. These results suggested that three SNPs of CACNA1S gene exon 11 definitely could exist but could not be associated with TPP people of Han Nationality in Sichuan.     

血管紧张素原基因多态性与深静脉血栓的相关性研究

目的 探讨血管紧张素原(angiotensinogen,AGT)基因-6G/A、-20A/C、T174M 3种基因型多态在深静脉血栓发病中的意义.方法 应用PCR-限制性片段长度多态性方法对103例深静脉血栓患者和250名健康对照者进行AGT-6G/A、-20A/C、T174M基因多态性的检测,并进行基因型及等位基因频率和单倍型分析.结果 -6G/A GA基因型在深静脉血栓组中的分布频率(60.2.%)明显高于对照组(39.6%),经X2检验差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05).单倍型分析显示病例组中-20A/-6G/174T单倍型频率高于对照组(P＜0.05).-20A/-6A/174T单倍型频率低于对照组(P＜0.05).-20A/C、T174M基因型在两组的分布频率差异无统计学意义.结论 AGT-6G/A多态性中,GA基因型可能会增加深静脉血栓的发生.-20A/-6G/174T单倍型可能是静脉血栓的危险因素,-20A/-6A/174T单倍型可能是静脉血栓的保护因素.     

eNOS基因和MTHFR基因多态性与子痫前期发病关系的研究

目的探讨内皮型一氧化氮合酶(eNOS)基因第7外显子G894T突变和N5,N10-亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶(MTHFR)基因C677T突变与子痫前期的关系。方法应用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)技术,对53例子痫前期患者(子痫前期组)和49例正常妊娠妇女(对照组)的eNOS基因G894T突变和MTHFR基因C677T突变进行检测。结果子痫前期组eNOS基因Glu/Glu、Glu/Asp、Asp/Asp基因型频率分别为71.7%、28.3%、0.0%;MTH-FR基因CC、CT、TT基因型频率分别为22.7%、39.6%、37.7%。对照组eNOS基因Glu/Glu、Glu/Asp、Asp/Asp基因型频率分别为83.7%、16.3%、0.0%;MTHFR基因CC、CT、TT基因型频率分别为20.4%、61.2%、18.4%。子痫前期患者TT基因型频率(37.7%)显著高于对照组(18.4%)(P<0.05),而CT基因型频率子痫前期组(39.6%)显著低于对照组(61.2%)(P<0.05),而eNOS基因型和等位基因频率两组比较差异均无显著性(P>0.05)。携带TT基因型个体发生子痫前期的风险增加2.69。结论eNOS基因G894T突变与子痫前期发病无关;MTHFR基因TT基因型能增加子痫前期的患病风险;eNOS基因和MTHFR基因在子痫前期发病中无协同作用。     

p73 G4C14-to-A4T14 gene polymorphism and interaction with p53 exon 4 Arg72Pro on cancer susceptibility: a meta-analysis of the literature

The p73 gene (1p36-33) is involved in cancer development through cell growth inhibition by inducing apoptosis in a p53-like manner. The p73 G4C14-to-A4T14 dinucleotide polymorphism, consisting of two single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the non-coding region of exon 2 that are in complete linkage disequilibrium, has been extensively studied in association with cancer risk. We performed a meta-analysis of published studies that examined the association between this p73 G4C14-to-A4T14 polymorphism and cancer by searching for relevant studies on Medline and Embase up to February 28, 2010. Pooling data from 19 case-control studies that included 6510 cancer cases and 5711 controls, we found that carriers of the p73 G4C14-to-A4T14 homozygous variant genotype (AT/AT) had an increased global risk of cancer [odds ratio (OR) = 1.30, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.03-1.65]. There was no evidence of an effect modification of p73 AT/AT by age, gender, ethnicity or smoking status in subgroup analyses; however, a 1.35-fold statistically significant increased risk was found among individuals <55 years old. In case-only analysis, the homozygous p73 G4C14-to-A4T14 variant of p73 genotype was associated with the presence of the p53 exon 4 Arg72Pro allele (OR = 1.30, 95% CI, 1.02-1.64), which is suggestive of a biological interaction between the two genes in carcinogenesis. In conclusion, the p73 G4C14-to-A4T14 homozygous variant genotype might be a risk factor for cancer, especially in combination with the p53 exon 4 Arg72Pro polymorphism. Further studies looking at p73 G4C14-to-A4T14 and p53 exon 4 Arg72Pro interaction are required to support our findings.     

Association of C46T genetic polymorphism of coagulation factor XII with deep venous thrombosis: a cohort study on Egyptian patients

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common multi-factorial disease, with serious short- and long-term complications, and a potential fatal outcome. Many genes are involved in determining the interindividual variation in traits that define the onset and progression of disease, as well as the response to treatment. Several association studies have designed the relationship between factor XII C46T polymorphism and the risk of arterial and venous thrombosis. Some studies reported that FXII gene polymorphism is not associated with venous thrombosis, whereas other studies found an increased risk of venous thrombosis in carriers of a FXII-T variant. We constructed an age–gender–ethnic–matched case–control study including 52 DVT patients and 100 healthy volunteers. C46T polymorphism of the coagulation factor XII was carried out using allelic discrimination assay by real-time polymerase chain reaction for patients and controls, while plasma factor XII activity was detected by one-step clotting assay. FXII C46T genotyping in DVT patients revealed that 34.6% were heterozygous harboring the FXII-CT heterotype and 3.85% were homozygous; FXII-TT homotype, with no statistically significant difference in the distribution of the mutant genotypes between DVT patients and the control group. FXII activity was significantly reduced in DVT patients harboring the mutant genotypes. In the present study, FXII C46T gene polymorphism was not associated with increased risk of deep venous thrombosis.