Association study of folate-related enzymes (MTHFR,MTR, MTRR) genetic variants with non-obstructive male infertility in a Polish population

Spermatogenesis is a process where an important contribution of genes involved in folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism is observed. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between male infertility and the MTHFR (677C > T; 1298A > C), MTR (2756A > G) and MTRR (66A > G) polymorphisms in a Polish population. No significant differences in genotype or allele frequencies were detected between the groups of 284 infertile men and of 352 fertile controls. These results demonstrate that common polymorphisms in folate pathway genes are not major risk factors for non-obstructive male infertility in the Polish population.     

MTHFR 677 CT/MTHFR 1298 CC genotypes are associated with increased risk of hypertension in Indians

The goals of our present study were to measure plasma homocysteine levels and determine their association with methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphisms (C677T and A1298C) in essential hypertensive subjects. Plasma total homocysteine and folic acid levels were measured in essential hypertensive patients (n = 153) before and after oral supplementation with either 5 mg folic acid tablet/day or 5 mg placebo/day for 4 weeks and compared with age and sex matched normotensive controls (n = 133). MTHFR gene polymorphisms (C677T and A1298C) were studied by restriction fragment length polymorphism and correlated with plasma homocysteine levels. Homocysteine levels were significantly higher in hypertensive patients as compared to controls and showed a negative correlation with plasma folate levels. Folic acid supplementation (5 mg/day) for 4 weeks resulted in a significant decrease in plasma homocysteine concentrations in these patients. Patients carrying MTHFR 677T allele (OR = 1.90; 95%CI: 1.14–3.19) or MTHFR 1298C (OR = 2.6, 95%CI: 1.55–4.40) allele were at increased risk of hypertension. The frequency of co-occurrence of MTHFR 677 CT/1298 CC genotypes was significantly higher in the patients compared to controls (P < 0.05) and was associated with increased risk of hypertension (OR = 3.54, 95%CI: 0.37–4.30). Subjects with MTHFR 1298 CC genotype had significantly higher homocysteine levels compared to those with MTHFR 1298 AA genotype (P < 0.05). Our results indicate that MTHFR 677T and 1298C alleles and co-occurrence of MTHFR 677 CT/MTHFR 1298 CC genotypes are associated with increased risk of hypertension and MTHFR 1298 CC genotype is associated with higher homocysteine levels in our subjects.     

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in one-carbon metabolism genes,Mediterranean diet and breast cancer risk: a case–control study in the Greek-Cypriot female population

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within genes of the one-carbon metabolism pathway have been shown to interact with dietary folate intake to modify breast cancer (BC) risk. Our group has previously demonstrated that the Mediterranean dietary pattern, rich in beneficial one-carbon metabolism micronutrients, protects against BC in Greek-Cypriot women. We aimed to investigate whether SNPs in the MTHFR (rs1801133 and rs1801131) and MTR (rs1805087) genes modify the effect of the Mediterranean dietary pattern on BC risk. Dietary intake data were obtained using a 32-item food-frequency questionnaire. A dietary pattern specific to the Greek-Cypriot population, which closely resembles the Mediterranean diet, was derived using principal component analysis (PCA) and used as our dietary variable. Genotyping was performed on subjects from the MASTOS study, a case–control study of BC in Cyprus, using TaqMan assays. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were estimated using logistic regression analyses. High adherence to the PCA-derived Mediterranean dietary pattern further reduced BC risk with increasing number of variant MTHFR 677T alleles (OR_Q4vs.Q1 for 677TT = 0.37, 95 % CI 0.20–0.69, for 677 CT = 0.60, 95 % CI 0.42–0.86). Additionally, high adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern decreased BC risk in subjects with at least one MTR 2756A allele (OR_Q4vs.Q1 for 2756AA = 0.59, 95 % CI 0.43–0.81, for 2756AG = 0.59, 95 % CI 0.39–0.91) and in subjects with the MTHFR 1298CC genotype (OR_Q4vs.Q1 0.44, 95 % CI 0.30–0.65). Overall P-interaction values, however, were not statistically significant. Our study suggests that these MTHFR and MTR SNPs may act as effect modifiers, highlighting their biological significance in the association between Mediterranean diet, the one-carbon metabolism pathway and BC.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12263-015-0453-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Molecular phylogenetic analysis of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase family of proteins

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) family of proteins catalyze the conversion of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. They contain a flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) as the cofactor and the enzyme in eukaryotes, except in yeast, is known to be allosterically regulated by S-adenosylmethionine. Some cardiovascular diseases, neural tube defects, neuropsychiatric diseases and certain type of cancers in humans are associated with certain polymorphisms of MTHFR. Here, we analyzed 57 of MTHFR polypeptide sequences by multiple sequence alignment and determined previously unrecognized conserved residues that may have a functional or structural importance. A previously unrecognized ATP synthase motif was found in all of the examined plant MTHFRs, suggesting a different functional capability to the plant MTHFRs in addition to the known function. On a phylogenetic tree built, eukaryotic MTHFR proteins formed a clear cluster separated from prokaryotic and archeal relatives. The sequence identities among the eukaryotic MTHFRs were less divergent than the bacterial MTHFRs.     

Defective remethylation of homocysteine is related to decreased synthesis of coenzymes B2 in thyroidectomized rats

Summary. We investigated the influence of hypothyroidism on homocysteine metabolism in rats, focusing on a hypothetical deficient synthesis of FAD by riboflavin kinases. Animals were allocated in control group (n=7), thyroidectomized rats (n=6), rats with diet deficient in vitamin B2, B9, B12, choline and methionine (n=7), thyroidectomized rats with deficient diet (n=9). Homocysteine was decreased in operated rats (2.6±1.01 vs. 4.05±1.0mol/L, P=0.02) and increased in deficient diet rats (29.56±4.52 vs. 4.05±1.0mol/L, P=0.001), when compared to control group. Erythrocyte-Glutathione-Reductase-Activation-Coefficient (index of FAD deficiency) was increased in thyroidectomized or deficient diet rats (P=0.004 for both). Methylenetetrahydrofolate-reductase and methionine-synthase activities were decreased in thyroidectomized rats but not in those subjected to deficient diet. Cystathionine--synthase was increased only in operated rats. Taken together, these results showed a defective re-methylation in surgical hypothyroidism, which was due in part to a defective synthesis of vitamin B2 coenzymes. This defective pathway was overcompensated by the increased Cystathionine--synthase activity.     

Genotype and allele frequencies of the polymorphic methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene in Turkey

The polymorphic methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphisms C677T and A1298C cause mild hyperhomocysteinemia, not only in homozygotes for C677T, but also in compound heterozygotes for C677T/A1298C. The aim of this study was to determine allelic frequencies of the polymorphic MTHFR gene C677T, A1298C. In this regard, we have investigated the allelic frequencies of C677T and A1298C polymorphisms of the MTHFR gene in 1684 randomized individuals around Turkey. DNA samples isolated from peripheral blood samples of randomized individuals were analysed. The study population consisted of 1004 females and 680 males. The frequency in Turkey of the C677T was 42.9 %; of C677C, 47.4 %; and of T677T, 9.6 %. The frequency in Turkey of A1298C was 43.7 %; of A1298A, 46.3 %; and of C1298C, 10.0 %. The allelic frequencies of the T allele of MTHFR 677 and the C allele of MTHFR 1298 were 33.34 and 33.16 %, respectively. The frequency of C677T/A1298C compound heterozygosity is highest in Turkey (21.6 %), as compared to Canada (15 %), the United States (17 %) and The Netherlands (20 %).     

One carbon metabolism disturbances and the C677T MTHFR gene polymorphism in children with autism spectrum disorders

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), which include the prototypic autistic disorder (AD), Asperger’s syndrome (AS) and pervasive developmental disorders not otherwise specified (PDD‐NOS), are complex neurodevelopmental conditions of unknown aetiology. The current study investigated the metabolites in the methionine cycle, the transsulphuration pathway, folate, vitamin B₁₂ and the C677T polymorphism of the MTHFR gene in three groups of children diagnosed with AD (n= 15), AS (n= 5) and PDD‐NOS (n= 19) and their age‐ and sex‐matched controls (n= 25). No metabolic disturbances were seen in the AS patients, while in the AD and PDD‐NOS groups, lower plasma levels of methionine (P= 0.01 and P= 0.03, respectively) and α‐aminobutyrate were observed (P= 0.01 and P= 0.001, respectively). Only in the AD group, plasma cysteine (P= 0.02) and total blood glutathione (P= 0.02) were found to be reduced. Although there was a trend towards lower levels of serine, glycine, N, N‐dimethylglycine in AD patients, the plasma levels of these metabolites as well as the levels of homocysteine and cystathionine were not statistically different in any of the ASDs groups. The serum levels of vitamin B₁₂ and folate were in the normal range. The results of the MTHFR gene analysis showed a normal distribution of the C677T polymorphism in children with ASDs, but the frequency of the 677T allele was slightly more prevalent in AD patients. Our study indicates a possible role for the alterations in one carbon metabolism in the pathophysiology of ASDs and provides, for the first time, preliminary evidence for metabolic and genetic differences between clinical subtypes of ASDs.     

Oxidative stress mediates cardiac fibrosis by enhancing transforming growth factor-beta1 in hypertensive rats

The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T gene polymorphism has been shown to be associated with cardiovascular disease and in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, the relationship between MTHFR polymorphisms and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients on hemodialysis has not been examined. The aim of this study was to assess the association of polymorphisms of MTHFR gene with homocysteine (Hcy) and intimal medial thickness (IMT) in patients on hemodialysis. We performed case-control study involving107 patients with ESRD and 103 healthy controls. Plasma Hcy was measured in all the subjects and these subjects were genotyped for three MTHFR polymorphisms (C677T, A1298C, and G1793A). We observed significantly higher Hcy levels in patients as compared to controls. The frequency of MTHFR 1298CC genotype was significantly higher in ESRD patients than in controls (21.4% vs. 2.9%); the frequency of the MTHFR C677T genotypes did not differ between groups (26.1% vs. 17.4%). Compound heterozygous MTHFR 677CT/1298AC genotypes showed maximum association with the risk of ESRD (OR: 12.8; 5%CI: 1.64–10.01, P < 0.05). Concurrent occurrence of MTHFR 677CC wild genotype with either 1298CC or 1793GA significantly increased the risk of disease (OR: 7.20; 95%CI: 2.06–2.51, P < 0.001 and OR: 7.60; 95%CI: 1.68–34.35; P < 0.05, respectively). MTHFR 1298CC genotype was associated with higher Hcy levels. IMT was also significantly higher in patients with the 1298CC genotype (P < 0.05). Thus, A1298C polymorphism of MTHFR gene appears to be associated with the severity of carotid atherosclerosis and co-occurrence of MTHFR polymorphisms may be a risk factor for CVD in patients on hemodialysis.     

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphisms in 13 Chinese ethnic populations

It has been shown that the polymorphisms of Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene are associated with susceptibility to several disorders including hyperhomocysteinemia, vascular disease, birth defect, and certain cancers, and exhibit great diversities among various populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of two common non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (i.e., C677T and A1298C) at MTHFR gene in 13 Chinese populations. A total of 1015 healthy individuals from 13 populations distributed widely from north to south in China were studied. DNA samples were isolated from peripheral blood samples and genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. For C677T polymorphism, the frequency in Chinese of CC homozygous was 42.4%; CT heterozygous was 49.8%; and TT homozygous was 7.9%. For A1298C, AA homozygous was 39.2%; AC heterozygous was 38.6%; and CC homozygous was 22.2%. The allelic frequency of 677T and 1298C was 32.8 and 41.5%, respectively, and each allele frequency had significant variance in 13 Chinese populations. The frequency of the 677T allele among southern populations was 30.7% compared to 38.0% among northeastern and 30.5% among northwestern populations. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.01). The frequency of 1298C mutation in southerns was 58.9% whereas in northeasterns it was 24.0% and 37.6% in northwesterns. This was also statistically significant (p < 0.01). The MTHFR C677T and A1298C sites were in linkage disequilibrium in the Chinese population revealed by our data.