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Luo M, Wang T, Huang P, Zhang S, Song X, Sun M, Liu Y, Wei J, Shu J, Zhong T, Chen Q, Zhu P, Qin J. Association of Maternal Betaine-Homocysteine Methyltransferase (BHMT) and BHMT2 Genes Polymorphisms with Congenital Heart Disease in Offspring. Reprod Sci 2023; 30:309-325. [PMID: 35835902 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-01029-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
To systematically explore the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of maternal BHMT and BHMT2 genes with the risk of congenital heart disease (CHD) and its three subtypes including atrial septal defect (ASD), ventricular septal defect (VSD), and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in offspring. A hospital-based case-control study involving 683 mothers of CHD children and 740 controls was performed. Necessary exposure information was captured through epidemiological investigation. Totally twelve SNPs of maternal BHMT and BHMT2 genes were detected and analyzed systematically. The study showed that maternal BHMT gene polymorphisms at rs1316753 (CG vs. CC: OR = 1.96 [95% CI 1.41-2.71]; GG vs. CC: OR = 1.99 [95% CI 1.32-3.00]; dominant model: OR = 1.97 [95% CI 1.44-2.68]) and rs1915706 (TC vs. TT: OR = 1.93 [95% CI 1.44-2.59]; CC vs. TT: OR = 2.55 [95% CI 1.38-4.72]; additive model: OR = 1.77 [95% CI 1.40-2.24]) were significantly associated with increased risk of total CHD in offspring. And two haplotypes were observed to be significantly associated with risk of total CHD, including C-C haplotype involving rs1915706 and rs3829809 in BHMT gene (OR = 1.30 [95% CI 1.07-1.58]) and C-A-A-C haplotype involving rs642431, rs592052, rs626105, and rs682985 in BHMT2 gene (OR = 0.71 [95% CI 0.58-0.88]). Besides, a three-locus model involving rs1316753 (BHMT), rs1915706 (BHMT), and rs642431 (BHMT2) was identified through gene-gene interaction analyses (P < 0.01). As for three subtypes including ASD, VSD, and PDA, significant SNPs and haplotypes were also identified. The results indicated that maternal BHMT gene polymorphisms at rs1316753 and rs1915706 are significantly associated with increased risk of total CHD and its three subtypes in offspring. Besides, significant interactions between different SNPs do exist on risk of CHD. Nevertheless, studies with larger sample size in different ethnic populations and involving more SNPs in more genes are expected to further define the genetic contribution underlying CHD and its subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manjun Luo
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Tingting Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defect for Research and Prevention, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, China.
| | - Peng Huang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Hunan Children's Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Senmao Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xinli Song
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Mengting Sun
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yiping Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jianhui Wei
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jing Shu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Taowei Zhong
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qian Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ping Zhu
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Jiabi Qin
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defect for Research and Prevention, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, China.
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China.
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Changsha, China.
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2
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Martinelli M, Palmieri A, Carinci F, Scapoli L. Non-syndromic Cleft Palate: An Overview on Human Genetic and Environmental Risk Factors. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:592271. [PMID: 33195260 PMCID: PMC7606870 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.592271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The epithelial and mesenchymal cells involved in early embryonic facial development are guided by complex regulatory mechanisms. Any factor perturbing the growth, approach and fusion of the frontonasal and maxillary processes could result in orofacial clefts that represent the most common craniofacial malformations in humans. The rarest and, probably for this reason, the least studied form of cleft involves only the secondary palate, which is posterior to the incisive foramen. The etiology of cleft palate only is multifactorial and involves both genetic and environmental risk factors. The intention of this review is to give the reader an overview of the efforts made by researchers to shed light on the underlying causes of this birth defect. Most of the scientific papers suggesting potential environmental and genetic causes of non-syndromic cleft palate are summarized in this review, including genome-wide association and gene–environment interaction studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcella Martinelli
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Palmieri
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Carinci
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Luca Scapoli
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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3
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Garland MA, Sun B, Zhang S, Reynolds K, Ji Y, Zhou CJ. Role of epigenetics and miRNAs in orofacial clefts. Birth Defects Res 2020; 112:1635-1659. [PMID: 32926553 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Orofacial clefts (OFCs) have multiple etiologies and likely result from an interplay between genetic and environmental factors. Within the last decade, studies have implicated specific epigenetic modifications and noncoding RNAs as additional facets of OFC etiology. Altered gene expression through DNA methylation and histone modification offer novel insights into how specific genes contribute to distinct OFC subtypes. Epigenetics research has also provided further evidence that cleft lip only (CLO) is a cleft subtype with distinct etiology. Polymorphisms or misexpression of genes encoding microRNAs, as well as their targets, contribute to OFC risk. The ability to experimentally manipulate epigenetic changes and noncoding RNAs in animal models, such as zebrafish, Xenopus, mice, and rats, has offered novel insights into the mechanisms of various OFC subtypes. Although much remains to be understood, recent advancements in our understanding of OFC etiology may advise future strategies of research and preventive care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Garland
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Bo Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Shuwen Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Kurt Reynolds
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA.,Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (BMCDB) graduate group, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Yu Ji
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA.,Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (BMCDB) graduate group, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Chengji J Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA.,Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (BMCDB) graduate group, University of California, Davis, California, USA
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4
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Wang P, Wu T, Schwender H, Wang H, Shi B, Wang ZQ, Yuan Y, Liu DJ, Wang MY, Li J, Zhou ZB, Zhu HP, Beaty TH. Evidence of interaction between genes in the folate/homocysteine metabolic pathway in controlling risk of non-syndromic oral cleft. Oral Dis 2018; 24:820-828. [PMID: 29356306 DOI: 10.1111/odi.12831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Revised: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Little consistent evidence is available for the association between the risk of non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) and any of the individual genes in the folate/homocysteine metabolic pathway. We investigated the genes in the folate pathway to further clarify its potential influence on the risk of NSCL/P considering gene-gene (G×G) interaction. SUBJECTS AND METHODS We selected markers in 18 genes from the pathway and applied Cordell's method to test for G×G interaction using 1,908 NSCL/P case-parent trios ascertained in an international consortium where a genomewide association study (GWAS) of oral clefts was conducted. RESULTS We found intriguing signals among Asian and European ancestry groups for G×G interaction between markers in betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase gene (BHMT/BHMT2) and dimethylglycine dehydrogenase gene (DMGDH) attaining genomewide significance. In the pooled data, the top significant interaction was found between rs13158309 (BHMT) and rs10514154 (DMGDH, p = 1.45 × 10-12 ). CONCLUSIONS Our study illustrated the importance of taking into account potential G×G interaction for genetic association analysis in NSCL/P, and this study suggested both BHMT/BHMT2 and DMGDH should be considered as candidate genes for NSCL/P in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Wang
- School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Department of Statistics and Information, Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control & Beijing Research Center for Preventive Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - T Wu
- School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Ministry of Health, Beijing, China
| | - H Schwender
- Mathematical Institute, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - H Wang
- School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - B Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Disease, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Z Q Wang
- School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Y Yuan
- School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - D J Liu
- School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - M Y Wang
- School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - J Li
- Pediatric Dentistry, Peking University School of Stomatology, Beijing, China
| | - Z B Zhou
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School of Stomatology, Beijing, China
| | - H P Zhu
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School of Stomatology, Beijing, China
| | - T H Beaty
- School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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5
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Cao L, Wang Y, Zhang R, Dong L, Cui H, Fang Y, Zhao L, Shi O, Cai C. Association of neural tube defects with gene polymorphisms in one-carbon metabolic pathway. Childs Nerv Syst 2018; 34:277-284. [PMID: 28770393 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-017-3558-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Neural tube defects (NTDs) are common congenital malformations. In this study, we aimed to explore the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to one-carbon metabolism (OCM) and NTDs in Han population of Northern China. METHODS A case-control study was conducted in 152 children with NTDs and 169 controls. Twenty-nine SNPs in five genes were genotyped by Sequenom MassARRAY technology, and haplotype analysis was done by Haploview4.2 software. RESULTS The allele frequency of rs3733890 in betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) gene was statistically different between NTDs and control groups (P = 0.041), and the children with A allele had higher risk for NTDs than G allele (OR = 1.408, 95%CI 1.013-1.956). In addition, there was a statistical difference in the allele and genotype frequencies of rs1051266 in reduced folate carrier1 (RFC1) gene between cases and controls (P = 0.013, 0.034), and the risk for NTDs was also higher in children with G allele and GG genotype, compared with A allele and AA genotype, respectively (OR = 1.492, 95%CI 1.089-2.044; OR = 2.020, 95%CI 1.081-3.780). The statistical significant difference was also found in allele frequency of rs1805087 in methionine synthetase (MTR) gene between cases and controls (P = 0.031), and the children with G allele were associated with an increased NTDs risk, compared with A allele (OR = 1.664, 95%CI 1.045-2.647). Meanwhile, haplotype analysis showed C-A-A-A haplotype of BHMT, and G-G-G-T haplotype of RFC1 was correlated with an increased risk of NTDs, but C-G-A-A haplotype of BHMT and G-G-C-A haplotype of MTR might decrease the risk of NTDs. CONCLUSIONS The BHMT gene rs3733890, RFC1 gene rs1051266 and MTR gene rs1805087 were associated with the occurrence of NTDs in Han population of Northern China. It was confirmed that the gene variation related to OCM was one of the susceptibility factors for NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lirong Cao
- Graduate college of Tianjin Medical University, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Yizheng Wang
- Graduate college of Tianjin Medical University, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Ruiping Zhang
- Graduate college of Tianjin Medical University, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Liang Dong
- Department of surgery, Tianjin Children's Hospital, Beichen District, Tianjin, 300134, China
| | - Hualei Cui
- Department of surgery, Tianjin Children's Hospital, Beichen District, Tianjin, 300134, China
| | - Yulian Fang
- Institute of pediatric, Tianjin Children's Hospital, Beichen District, Tianjin, 300134, China
| | - Linsheng Zhao
- Department of pathology, Tianjin Children's Hospital, Beichen District, Tianjin, 300134, China
| | - Ouyan Shi
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China.
| | - Chunquan Cai
- Department of neurosurgery, Tianjin Children's Hospital, Beichen District, Tianjin, 300134, China.
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6
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Au KS, Findley TO, Northrup H. Finding the genetic mechanisms of folate deficiency and neural tube defects-Leaving no stone unturned. Am J Med Genet A 2017; 173:3042-3057. [PMID: 28944587 PMCID: PMC5650505 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.38478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Revised: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) occur secondary to failed closure of the neural tube between the third and fourth weeks of gestation. The worldwide incidence ranges from 0.3 to 200 per 10,000 births with the United States of American NTD incidence at around 3-6.3 per 10,000 dependent on race and socioeconomic background. Human NTD incidence has fallen by 35-50% in North America due to mandatory folic acid fortification of enriched cereal grain products since 1998. The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the folic acid fortification of corn masa flour with the goal to further reduce the incidence of NTDs, especially among individuals who are Hispanic. However, the genetic mechanisms determining who will benefit most from folate enrichment of the diet remains unclear despite volumes of literature published on studies of association of genes with functions related to folate metabolism and risk of human NTDs. The advances in omics technologies provides hypothesis-free tools to interrogate every single gene within the genome of NTD affected individuals to discover pathogenic variants and methylation targets throughout the affected genome. By identifying genes with expression regulated by presence of folate through transcriptome profiling studies, the genetic mechanisms leading to human NTDs due to folate deficiency may begin to be more efficiently revealed.
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Affiliation(s)
- KS Au
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Houston – McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX
| | - TO Findley
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Houston – McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX
| | - H Northrup
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Houston – McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX
- Shriners Hospitals for Children - Houston, Houston, TX
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7
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Mohd-Zin SW, Marwan AI, Abou Chaar MK, Ahmad-Annuar A, Abdul-Aziz NM. Spina Bifida: Pathogenesis, Mechanisms, and Genes in Mice and Humans. SCIENTIFICA 2017; 2017:5364827. [PMID: 28286691 PMCID: PMC5327787 DOI: 10.1155/2017/5364827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Revised: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Spina bifida is among the phenotypes of the larger condition known as neural tube defects (NTDs). It is the most common central nervous system malformation compatible with life and the second leading cause of birth defects after congenital heart defects. In this review paper, we define spina bifida and discuss the phenotypes seen in humans as described by both surgeons and embryologists in order to compare and ultimately contrast it to the leading animal model, the mouse. Our understanding of spina bifida is currently limited to the observations we make in mouse models, which reflect complete or targeted knockouts of genes, which perturb the whole gene(s) without taking into account the issue of haploinsufficiency, which is most prominent in the human spina bifida condition. We thus conclude that the need to study spina bifida in all its forms, both aperta and occulta, is more indicative of the spina bifida in surviving humans and that the measure of deterioration arising from caudal neural tube defects, more commonly known as spina bifida, must be determined by the level of the lesion both in mouse and in man.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siti W. Mohd-Zin
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ahmed I. Marwan
- Laboratory for Fetal and Regenerative Biology, Colorado Fetal Care Center, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 E 17th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | | | - Azlina Ahmad-Annuar
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Noraishah M. Abdul-Aziz
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Jaiswal SK, Sukla KK, Chauhan A, Lakhotia AR, Kumar A, Rai AK. Choline metabolic pathway gene polymorphisms and risk for Down syndrome: An association study in a population with folate-homocysteine metabolic impairment. Eur J Clin Nutr 2016; 71:45-50. [PMID: 27677362 DOI: 10.1038/ejcn.2016.190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2015] [Revised: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Choline is an essential nutrient involved in one-carbon metabolism, but its role in mechanisms underlying meiotic non-disjunction is poorly known. The relationship between folate-homocysteine metabolic pathway gene polymorphism and Down syndrome (DS) risk has been widely analyzed, but there are limited reports on its correlation with choline metabolism. In the present case-control association study, we investigated the relationship of three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) rs12325817, choline dehydrogenase (CHDH) rs12676 and homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) rs3733890) of choline metabolism with risk for DS. SUBJECT/METHODS Genotyping of 228 mothers of a down syndrome child (DSM) and 200 control mothers (CMs) for all SNPs was performed by PCR coupled with restriction fragment length polymorphism method. RESULTS A significantly increased risk for BHMT +742AA genotype with an odds ratio of 4.96 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.66-14.88, P=0.0036) was observed. For PEMT rs12325817 and CHDH rs12676, no significant difference in allelic and genotypic frequencies was observed. In genotypic combination analysis considering PEMT -744GG/CHDH +432GG/BHMT +742GG as the reference combination, PEMT -744GC/CHDH +432GG/BHMT +742GG genotypic combination was significantly higher in DSM compared with that in CMs with an odds ratio of 2.061 (95% CI: 1.10-3.86, P=0.0342). We also observed an epistatic interaction between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) rs1801133 and choline metabolic pathway gene variants. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate impaired choline metabolism showing a greater risk for DS, especially in a population associated with homocysteine-folate impairment. Further studies are required to confirm our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- S K Jaiswal
- Centre for Genetic Disorders, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - K K Sukla
- Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - A Chauhan
- Applied Microbiology, Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - A R Lakhotia
- Department of Gynecology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - A Kumar
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - A K Rai
- Centre for Genetic Disorders, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Marini NJ, Yang W, Asrani K, Witte JS, Rine J, Lammer EJ, Shaw GM. Sequence variation in folate pathway genes and risks of human cleft lip with or without cleft palate. Am J Med Genet A 2016; 170:2777-2787. [PMID: 27604992 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.37874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Accepted: 07/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
In an effort to comprehensively interrogate genetic variation in the folate pathway for risk of cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CLP), we evaluated 504 common and rare variants in 35 folate-related genes in a panel of 330 infants with CLP and 367 non-malformed controls. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals were computed for common genotypes. A Case-Control Difference metric was calculated for rare variants to highlight differentially occurring alleles. Interactions between variants and a maternal folate intake variable were also evaluated. In gene-only results, significant odds ratios were observed for multiple variants in the BHMT/BHMT2/DMGDH gene cluster, particularly in Hispanic infants. Also in this cluster, rare variant analysis highlighted a substantial case-control difference in BHMT rs60340837 (synonymous Y284Y). In Hispanics, the ALDH1L1 I812V variant (rs4646750) was the most significant risk allele: OR = 3.8 (95%CI = 1.6-9.2) when heterozygous. In non-Hispanic white infants, we observed significant risk for AHCYL2 rs1095423 (homozygous OR = 3.0, 95%CI 1.1-7.8) and the 68 bp CBS insertion (c.844ins68; heterozygous OR = 2.4, 95%CI = 1.1-5.3). Rare variant analysis in this group revealed case-control differences in MTRR and several other methionine cycle genes, a process implicated previously in clefting risk. In women with low folate intake specifically, increased risks were observed for CBS rs2851391 (OR = 3.6, 95%CI = 1.3-9.6) and the R259P nonsynonymous variant of TCN2 (rs1801198; OR = 2.8, 95%CI = 1.2-6.3). This comprehensive study provides further direction on candidate loci to help disentangle the folate-related developmental phenomena in human clefting risk. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Marini
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, California.
| | - Wei Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Kripa Asrani
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, California
| | - John S Witte
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Institute of Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Jasper Rine
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, California
| | - Edward J Lammer
- UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, Oakland, California
| | - Gary M Shaw
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
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10
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Piao W, Guo J, Bao Y, Wang F, Zhang T, Huo J, Zhang K. Analysis of polymorphisms of genes associated with folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism and neural tube defects in Chinese Han Population. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 106:232-9. [DOI: 10.1002/bdra.23478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Revised: 10/29/2015] [Accepted: 11/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Piao
- National Institute for Nutrition and Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Key Laboratory of Trace Element Nutrition of National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People's Republic of China; Beijing China
| | - Jin Guo
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics; Capital Institute of Pediatrics; Chaoyang District Beijing China
| | - Yihua Bao
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics; Capital Institute of Pediatrics; Chaoyang District Beijing China
| | - Fang Wang
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics; Capital Institute of Pediatrics; Chaoyang District Beijing China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics; Capital Institute of Pediatrics; Chaoyang District Beijing China
| | - Junsheng Huo
- National Institute for Nutrition and Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Key Laboratory of Trace Element Nutrition of National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People's Republic of China; Beijing China
| | - Kunlin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing China
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Costa IR, Thompson JD, Ortega JM, Prosdocimi F. Metazoan remaining genes for essential amino acid biosynthesis: sequence conservation and evolutionary analyses. Nutrients 2014; 7:1-16. [PMID: 25545100 PMCID: PMC4303824 DOI: 10.3390/nu7010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2014] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Essential amino acids (EAA) consist of a group of nine amino acids that animals are unable to synthesize via de novo pathways. Recently, it has been found that most metazoans lack the same set of enzymes responsible for the de novo EAA biosynthesis. Here we investigate the sequence conservation and evolution of all the metazoan remaining genes for EAA pathways. Initially, the set of all 49 enzymes responsible for the EAA de novo biosynthesis in yeast was retrieved. These enzymes were used as BLAST queries to search for similar sequences in a database containing 10 complete metazoan genomes. Eight enzymes typically attributed to EAA pathways were found to be ubiquitous in metazoan genomes, suggesting a conserved functional role. In this study, we address the question of how these genes evolved after losing their pathway partners. To do this, we compared metazoan genes with their fungal and plant orthologs. Using phylogenetic analysis with maximum likelihood, we found that acetolactate synthase (ALS) and betaine-homocysteine S-methyltransferase (BHMT) diverged from the expected Tree of Life (ToL) relationships. High sequence conservation in the paraphyletic group Plant-Fungi was identified for these two genes using a newly developed Python algorithm. Selective pressure analysis of ALS and BHMT protein sequences showed higher non-synonymous mutation ratios in comparisons between metazoans/fungi and metazoans/plants, supporting the hypothesis that these two genes have undergone non-ToL evolution in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor R Costa
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Julie D Thompson
- Department of Computer Science Research, ICube Laboratoire des sciences de l'ingénieur, de l'informatique et de l'imagerie, CNRS/Université de Strasbourg, 11 rue Humann, Strasbourg F-67000, France.
| | - José Miguel Ortega
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil.
| | - Francisco Prosdocimi
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil.
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Imbard A, Benoist JF, Blom HJ. Neural tube defects, folic acid and methylation. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2013; 10:4352-89. [PMID: 24048206 PMCID: PMC3799525 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph10094352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2013] [Revised: 08/30/2013] [Accepted: 09/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are common complex congenital malformations resulting from failure of the neural tube closure during embryogenesis. It is established that folic acid supplementation decreases the prevalence of NTDs, which has led to national public health policies regarding folic acid. To date, animal studies have not provided sufficient information to establish the metabolic and/or genomic mechanism(s) underlying human folic acid responsiveness in NTDs. However, several lines of evidence suggest that not only folates but also choline, B12 and methylation metabolisms are involved in NTDs. Decreased B12 vitamin and increased total choline or homocysteine in maternal blood have been shown to be associated with increased NTDs risk. Several polymorphisms of genes involved in these pathways have also been implicated in risk of development of NTDs. This raises the question whether supplementation with B12 vitamin, betaine or other methylation donors in addition to folic acid periconceptional supplementation will further reduce NTD risk. The objective of this article is to review the role of methylation metabolism in the onset of neural tube defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apolline Imbard
- Biochemistry-Hormonology Laboratory, Robert Debré Hospital, APHP, 48 bd Serrurier, Paris 75019, France; E-Mail:
- Metabolic Unit, Department of Clinical Chemistry, VU Free University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam 1081 HV, The Netherlands; E-Mail:
| | - Jean-François Benoist
- Biochemistry-Hormonology Laboratory, Robert Debré Hospital, APHP, 48 bd Serrurier, Paris 75019, France; E-Mail:
| | - Henk J. Blom
- Metabolic Unit, Department of Clinical Chemistry, VU Free University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam 1081 HV, The Netherlands; E-Mail:
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Betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase 742G>A polymorphism and risk of down syndrome offspring in a Brazilian population. Mol Biol Rep 2013; 40:4685-9. [PMID: 23645037 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-013-2563-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2012] [Accepted: 04/29/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) is the most common form of mental retardation of genetic etiology. Several polymorphisms in genes involved with the folic acid cycle have been associated to the risk of bearing a DS child; however, the results are controversial. Betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) is a key enzyme of folate pathway, and catalyzes the remethylation of homocysteine into methionine. Recent studies suggest that the polymorphism BHMT 742G>A may be associated with a decreased risk of having a DS child. We herein investigate the association of this polymorphism with the occurrence of DS in a Brazilian population. We have genotyped 94 mothers of DS infants (DSM) and 134 control mothers (CM) for this polymorphism through PCR-RFLP, and found significant differences for both BHMT 742G>A genotype (P=0.04) and allele (P=0.03) frequencies between DSM and CM. The observed genotypic frequencies were GG=0.45; GA=0.45 and AA=0.10 in CM, and GG=0.54; GA=0.38 and AA=0.02 in DSM. Allelic frequencies were G=0.68 and A=0.32 in CM and G=0.78 and A=0.22 in DSM. The presence of the mutant BHMT 742 A allele decreases 40% the risk of bearing a DS child (OR=0.61; 95% CI: 0.40-0.93; P=0.03), and the risk is diminished up to >80% in association with the homozygous genotype (OR=0.17; 95% CI: 0.04-0.80; P=0.01). Our results indicate that women harboring the single nucleotide polymorphism BHMT 742G>A have a decreased risk of a DS pregnancy, and further studies are necessary to confirm this protective effect.
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Association Between Betaine Homocysteine S-Methyl Transferase (BHMT) rs3797546 Gene Polymorphisms and the Risk of Nonsyndromic Cleft Lip and/or Cleft Palate in South-East Population of Iran. HEALTH SCOPE 2012. [DOI: 10.5812/jhs.8381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Chandler AL, Hobbs CA, Mosley BS, Berry RJ, Canfield MA, Qi YP, Siega-Riz AM, Shaw GM. Neural tube defects and maternal intake of micronutrients related to one-carbon metabolism or antioxidant activity. BIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH. PART A, CLINICAL AND MOLECULAR TERATOLOGY 2012; 94:864-74. [PMID: 22933447 PMCID: PMC3518275 DOI: 10.1002/bdra.23068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2012] [Revised: 06/26/2012] [Accepted: 07/12/2012] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal nutritional status has been evaluated to clarify its role in development of neural tube defects (NTDs). Maternal folate intake during pregnancy has been closely evaluated for its association with NTDs. The study objective was to examine associations between NTDs and other dietary periconceptional micronutrient intake, particularly nutrients involved in one-carbon metabolism or antioxidant activity. METHODS Using data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997-2005, logistic regression models were used to estimate the relative risk of NTDs based on maternal micronutrient intake. RESULTS Results were stratified according to folic acid supplement use, race/ethnicity, and maternal body mass index. Analyses included 954 cases (300 with anencephaly, 654 with spina bifida) and 6268 controls. Higher intakes of folate, thiamin, betaine, iron, and vitamin A were associated with decreased risk of anencephaly among some ethnic and clinical groups. In some groups, higher intakes of thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B(6) , vitamin C, vitamin E, niacin, and retinol were associated with decreased risk of spina bifida. CONCLUSION In addition to folic acid, other micronutrients, including thiamin, betaine, riboflavin, vitamin B(6) , vitamin C, vitamin E, niacin, iron, retinol, and vitamin A, may decrease the risk of NTD occurrence. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela L Chandler
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute, Little Rock, Arkansas 72202, USA
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Abstract
The vitamin folate functions within the cell as a carrier of one-carbon units. The requirement for one-carbon transfers is ubiquitous and all mammalian cells carry out folate dependent reactions. In recent years, low folate status has been linked to risk of numerous adverse health conditions throughout life from birth defects and complications of pregnancy to cardiovascular disease, cancer and cognitive dysfunction in the elderly. In many instances inadequate intake of folate seems to be the primary contributor but there is also evidence that an underlying genetic susceptibility can play a modest role by causing subtle alterations in the availability, metabolism or distribution of intermediates in folate related pathways. Folate linked one-carbon units are essential for DNA synthesis and repair and as a source of methyl groups for biological methylation reactions. The notion of common genetic variants being linked to risk of disease was relatively novel in 1995 when the first functional folate-related polymorphism was discovered. Numerous polymorphisms have now been identified in folate related genes and have been tested for functionality either as a modifier of folate status or as being associated with risk of disease. Moreover, there is increasing research into the importance of folate-derived one-carbon units for DNA and histone methylation reactions, which exert crucial epigenetic control over cellular protein synthesis. It is thus becoming clear that genetic aspects of folate metabolism are wide-ranging and may touch on events as disparate as prenatal imprinting to cancer susceptibility. This chapter will review the current knowledge in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne M Molloy
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland,
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Bhaskar L, Murthy J, Venkatesh Babu G. Polymorphisms in genes involved in folate metabolism and orofacial clefts. Arch Oral Biol 2011; 56:723-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2011.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2010] [Revised: 01/18/2011] [Accepted: 01/18/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Wilffert B, Altena J, Tijink L, van Gelder MMHJ, de Jong-van den Berg LTW. Pharmacogenetics of drug-induced birth defects: what is known so far? Pharmacogenomics 2011; 12:547-58. [PMID: 21521026 DOI: 10.2217/pgs.10.201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A literature review was performed to collect information on the role of pharmacogenetics in six proposed teratogenic mechanisms associated with drug use during pregnancy: folate antagonism, oxidative stress, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition and angiotensin II receptor antagonism, cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 inhibition, 5-hydroxytryptamine-reuptake inhibition and drug transporters in the placenta. Data on the direct relationship between pharmacogenetics and drug-induced birth defects were found for folate metabolism, oxidative stress caused by phenytoin exposure and drug transporters in the placenta. Although no specific data to support pharmacogenetic-related birth defects were found for the NSAIDs, paroxetine and fluoxetine, it might be expected that polymorphisms modify their teratogenic effects. The usually low prevalence of drug-induced malformations impedes the demonstration of the contribution of pharmacogenetics. Large-scale studies, preferably case-control studies, are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bob Wilffert
- Unit of Pharmacoepidemiology & Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen 9713AV, The Netherlands.
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Wlodarczyk BJ, Palacios AM, Chapa CJ, Zhu H, George TM, Finnell RH. Genetic basis of susceptibility to teratogen induced birth defects. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS PART C-SEMINARS IN MEDICAL GENETICS 2011; 157C:215-26. [PMID: 21766441 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.c.30314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Birth defects remain the leading cause of infant death in US. The field of teratology has been focused on the causes and underlying mechanisms of birth defects for decades, yet our understanding of these critical issues remain unacceptably vague. Conclusions from years of animal and human studies made it clear that the vast majority of birth defects have multifactorial origins, with contributions from environmental and genetic factors. The environment comprises not only of the physical, biological, and chemical external environment surrounding the pregnant woman, but it also includes the internal environment of the woman's body that interact with the developing embryo in a complex fashion. The importance of maternal and embryonic genetic factors consisting of countless genetic variants/mutations that exist within every individual contribute to birth defect susceptibility is only now being more fully appreciated. This great complexity of the genome and its diversity within individuals and populations seems to be the principal reason why the same teratogenic exposure can induce severe malformation in one embryo, while fail to do so to other exposed embryos. As the interaction between genetic and environmental factors has long been recognized as the first "Principle of Teratology" by Wilson and Warkany [1965. Teratology: Principles and techniques. Chicago: University of Chicago Press], it is only recently that the appropriate investigative tools have been developed with which to fully investigate this fundamental principle. The introduction of high throughput technologies like whole genome sequencing or genome-wide association studies are promising to deliver an enormous amount of new data that will shed light on the genomic factors that contribute susceptibility to environmental teratogens. In this review, we attempt to summarize the epidemiological and experimental literature concerning birth defects whose phenotypic expression can be clearly related to the interactions between several select environmental factors and those genetic pathways in which they are most likely to have significant modifying effects. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bogdan J Wlodarczyk
- Dell Pediatric Research Institute, 1400 Barbara Jordan Blvd., Austin, TX 78723, USA.
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Abstract
Nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate is a complex genetic disorder with variable phenotype, largely attributed to the interactions of the environment and multiple genes, each potentially having certain effects. Numerous genes have been reported in studies demonstrating associations and/or linkage of the cleft lip and palate phenotypes to alleles of microsatellite markers and single nucleotide polymorphisms within specific genes that regulate transcription factors, growth factors, cell signalling and detoxification metabolisms. Although the studies reporting these observations are compelling, most of them lack statistical power. This review compiles the evidence that supports linkage and associations to the various genetic loci and candidate genes. Whereas significant progress has been made in the field of cleft lip and palate genetics in the past decade, the role of the genes and genetic variations within the numerous candidate genes that have been found to associate with the expression of the orofacial cleft phenotype remain to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyotsna Murthy
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Chennai, India
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MTHFD1 G1958A, BHMT G742A, TC2 C776G and TC2 A67G polymorphisms and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma risk. Mol Biol Rep 2011; 39:887-93. [PMID: 21630102 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-011-0813-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2011] [Accepted: 05/03/2011] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Alterations in folate metabolism may contribute to the process of carcinogenesis by influencing DNA methylation and genomic stability. Polymorphisms in genes encoding enzymes involved in this pathway may alter enzyme activity and consequently interfere in concentrations of homocysteine and S-adenosylmethionine that are important for DNA synthesis and cellular methylation reactions. The objectives were to investigate MTHFD1 G1958A, BHMT G742A, TC2 C776G and TC2 A67G polymorphisms involved in folate metabolism on head and neck cancer risk and the association between these polymorphisms with risk factors. Polymorphisms were investigated in 762 individuals (272 patients and 490 controls) by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and Real Time-PCR. Chi-square and Multiple logistic regression were used for the statistical analysis. Multiple logistic regression showed that tobacco and male gender were predictors for the disease (P < 0.05). Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium showed that the genotypic distributions were in equilibrium for both groups in all polymorphisms studied. The BHMT 742GA or AA genotypes associated with tobacco consumption (P = 0.016) increase the risk for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The present study suggests that BHMT 742GA polymorphism associated to tobacco modulate HNSCC risk. However, further investigation of gene-gene interactions in folate metabolism and studies in different populations are needed to investigate polymorphisms and HNSCC risk.
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Martinelli M, Masiero E, Carinci F, Morselli PG, Pezzetti F, Scapoli L. New evidence for the role of cystathionine beta-synthase in non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate. Eur J Oral Sci 2011; 119:193-7. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0722.2011.00824.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Hobbs CA, MacLeod SL, Jill James S, Cleves MA. Congenital heart defects and maternal genetic, metabolic, and lifestyle factors. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 91:195-203. [DOI: 10.1002/bdra.20784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2010] [Revised: 12/16/2010] [Accepted: 12/17/2010] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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Cleves MA, Hobbs CA, Zhao W, Krakowiak PA, MacLeod SL. Association between selected folate pathway polymorphisms and nonsyndromic limb reduction defects: a case-parental analysis. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2011; 25:124-34. [PMID: 21281325 PMCID: PMC3050483 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3016.2010.01160.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Inadequate folate status resulting from either genetic variation or nutritional deficiencies has been associated with an increased risk of congenital malformations including orofacial clefting, limb, cardiac and neural tube defects. Few epidemiological studies have examined the association between limb reduction defects (LRDs) and folate-related genetic polymorphisms other than MTHFR 677C→T. We conducted a case-parental analysis of 148 families who participated in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study to examine the association between nonsyndromic transverse and longitudinal LRDs with five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding enzymes in folate and methionine pathways. Log-linear Poisson regression, adapted for analysis of case-parental data assuming an additive genetic model, was used to estimate genetic relative risks and 95% confidence intervals for the association between LRDs and each SNP. Among women who did not take multivitamin supplements, the MTHFR 677T variant acts via the offspring's genome to increase the risk of LRDs. No association between LRDs and any fetal SNP was found among women who used multivitamin supplements. These results suggest the possibility that initiating folic acid supplementation prior to pregnancy may reduce the risk of having a LRD-affected pregnancy, especially in women whose offspring inherit one or two copies of the MTHFR 677T variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario A. Cleves
- Corresponding Author: Mario A. Cleves, Ph.D., University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Arkansas Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention, 13 Children’s Way, Slot 512-40, Little Rock, AR 72202, Telephone: 501-364-5001, Fax: 501-364-5050,
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Ueland PM. Choline and betaine in health and disease. J Inherit Metab Dis 2011; 34:3-15. [PMID: 20446114 DOI: 10.1007/s10545-010-9088-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 365] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2009] [Revised: 03/08/2010] [Accepted: 03/11/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Choline is an essential nutrient, but is also formed by de novo synthesis. Choline and its derivatives serve as components of structural lipoproteins, blood and membrane lipids, and as a precursor of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Pre-and postnatal choline availability is important for neurodevelopment in rodents. Choline is oxidized to betaine that serves as an osmoregulator and is a substrate in the betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase reaction, which links choline and betaine to the folate-dependent one-carbon metabolism. Choline and betaine are important sources of one-carbon units, in particular, during folate deficiency. Choline or betaine supplementation in humans reduces concentration of total homocysteine (tHcy), and plasma betaine is a strong predictor of plasma tHcy in individuals with low plasma concentration of folate and other B vitamins (B₂, B₆, and B₁₂) in combination TT genotype of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677 C->T polymorphism. The link to one-carbon metabolism and the recent availability of food composition data have motivated studies on choline and betaine as risk factors of chronic diseases previously studied in relation to folate and homocysteine status. High intake and plasma level of choline in the mother seems to afford reduced risk of neural tube defects. Intake of choline and betaine shows no consistent relation to cancer or cardiovascular risk or risk factors, whereas an unfavorable cardiovascular risk factor profile was associated with high choline and low betaine concentrations in plasma. Thus, choline and betaine showed opposite relations with key components of metabolic syndrome, suggesting a disruption of mitochondrial choline oxidation to betaine as part of the mitochondrial dysfunction in metabolic syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Per Magne Ueland
- Section for Pharmacology, Institute of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
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Lever M, Slow S. The clinical significance of betaine, an osmolyte with a key role in methyl group metabolism. Clin Biochem 2010; 43:732-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2010.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 273] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2010] [Revised: 03/16/2010] [Accepted: 03/17/2010] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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Mitchell LE, Long J, Garbarini J, Paluru P, Goldmuntz E. Variants of folate metabolism genes and risk of left-sided cardiac defects. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 88:48-53. [PMID: 19777601 DOI: 10.1002/bdra.20622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most common, serious group of birth defects. Although relatively little is known about the causes of these conditions and there are no established prevention strategies, evidence suggests that the risk of CHDs may be related to maternal folate status as well as genetic variants in folate-related genes. Efforts to establish the relationships between these factors and CHD risk have, however, been hampered by a number of factors, including small study sample sizes and phenotypic heterogeneity. METHODS The present study examined the relationship between nine genetic variants in eight folate-related genes and a relatively homogeneous group of left-sided cardiac defects in a cohort of 386 case-parent triads. Log-linear analyses were used to assess both maternal and inherited genetic effects. RESULTS Analyses of the study data provided marginal evidence that the maternal MTR A2756G (unadjusted p = 0.01) and the inherited BHMT G742A (unadjusted p = 0.06) genotypes influence the risk of this subset of CHDs. However, neither association achieved significance when the false-discovery rate was controlled at 0.05. CONCLUSIONS These results, which are based on the largest study sample and most comprehensive assessment of the relationship between left-sided cardiac defects and folate-related genes reported to date, provide little evidence that this subset of CHDs is folate related. However, even larger studies and more comprehensive evaluations of the folate pathway genes are required to fully explore the relationship between folate and left-sided cardiac defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Mitchell
- Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are common, severe congenital malformations whose causation involves multiple genes and environmental factors. Although more than 200 genes are known to cause NTDs in mice, there has been rather limited progress in delineating the molecular basis underlying most human NTDs. Numerous genetic studies have been carried out to investigate candidate genes in cohorts of patients, with particular reference to those that participate in folate one-carbon metabolism. Although the homocysteine remethylation gene MTHFR has emerged as a risk factor in some human populations, few other consistent findings have resulted from this approach. Similarly, attention focused on the human homologues of mouse NTD genes has contributed only limited positive findings to date, although an emerging association between genes of the non-canonical Wnt (planar cell polarity) pathway and NTDs provides candidates for future studies. Priorities for the next phase of this research include: (i) larger studies that are sufficiently powered to detect significant associations with relatively minor risk factors; (ii) analysis of multiple candidate genes in groups of well-genotyped individuals to detect possible gene-gene interactions; (iii) use of high throughput genomic technology to evaluate the role of copy number variants and to detect 'private' and regulatory mutations, neither of which have been studied to date; (iv) detailed analysis of patient samples stratified by phenotype to enable, for example, hypothesis-driven testing of candidates genes in groups of NTDs with specific defects of folate metabolism, or in groups of fetuses with well-defined phenotypes such as craniorachischisis.
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Yu W, Serrano M, Miguel SS, Ruest LB, Svoboda KK. Cleft lip and palate genetics and application in early embryological development. Indian J Plast Surg 2009; 42 Suppl:S35-50. [PMID: 19884679 PMCID: PMC2825058 DOI: 10.4103/0970-0358.57185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of the head involves the interaction of several cell populations and coordination of cell signalling pathways, which when disrupted can cause defects such as facial clefts. This review concentrates on genetic contributions to facial clefts with and without cleft palate (CP). An overview of early palatal development with emphasis on muscle and bone development is blended with the effects of environmental insults and known genetic mutations that impact human palatal development. An extensive table of known genes in syndromic and non-syndromic CP, with or without cleft lip (CL), is provided. We have also included some genes that have been identified in environmental risk factors for CP/L. We include primary and review references on this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenli Yu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Baylor College of Dentistry, Dallas, TX 75246
| | - Maria Serrano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Baylor College of Dentistry, Dallas, TX 75246
| | - Symone San Miguel
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Baylor College of Dentistry, Dallas, TX 75246
| | - L. Bruno Ruest
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Baylor College of Dentistry, Dallas, TX 75246
| | - Kathy K.H. Svoboda
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Baylor College of Dentistry, Dallas, TX 75246
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Zhu H, Kartiko S, Finnell RH. Importance of gene-environment interactions in the etiology of selected birth defects. Clin Genet 2009; 75:409-23. [PMID: 19459879 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.2009.01174.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
It is generally understood that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the highly complex etiology of structural birth defects, including neural tube defects, oral clefts and congenital heart defects, by disrupting highly regulated embryonic developmental processes. The intrauterine environment of the developing embryo/fetus is determined by maternal factors such as health/disease status, lifestyle, medication, exposure to environmental teratogens, as well as the maternal genotype. Certain genetic characteristics of the embryo/fetus also predispose it to developmental abnormalities. Epidemiologic and animal studies conducted over the last few decades have suggested that the interplay between genes and environmental factors underlies the etiological heterogeneity of these defects. It is now widely believed that the study of gene-environment interactions will lead to better understanding of the biological mechanisms and pathological processes that contribute to the development of complex birth defects. It is only through such an understanding that more efficient measures will be developed to prevent these severe, costly and often deadly defects. In this review, we attempt to summarize the complex clinical and experimental literature on current hypotheses of interactions between several select environmental factors and those genetic pathways in which they are most likely to have significant modifying effects. These include maternal folate nutritional status, maternal diabetes/obesity-related conditions, and maternal exposure to selected medications and environmental contaminants. Our goal is to highlight the potential gene-environment interactions affecting early embryogenesis that deserve comprehensive study.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Zhu
- Center for Environmental and Genetic Medicine, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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Boyles AL, Wilcox AJ, Taylor JA, Shi M, Weinberg CR, Meyer K, Fredriksen A, Ueland PM, Johansen AMW, Drevon CA, Jugessur A, Trung TN, Gjessing HK, Vollset SE, Murray JC, Christensen K, Lie RT. Oral facial clefts and gene polymorphisms in metabolism of folate/one-carbon and vitamin A: a pathway-wide association study. Genet Epidemiol 2009; 33:247-55. [PMID: 19048631 DOI: 10.1002/gepi.20376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
An increased risk of facial clefts has been observed among mothers with lower intake of folic acid or vitamin A around conception. We hypothesized that the risk of clefts may be further moderated by genes involved in metabolizing folate or vitamin A. We included 425 case-parent triads in which the child had either cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) or cleft palate only (CPO), and no other major defects. We analyzed 108 SNPs and one insertion in 29 genes involved in folate/one-carbon metabolism and 68 SNPs from 16 genes involved in vitamin A metabolism. Using the Triad Multi-Marker (TRIMM) approach we performed SNP, gene, chromosomal region, and pathway-wide association tests of child or maternal genetic effects for both CL/P and CPO. We stratified these analyses on maternal intake of folic acid or vitamin A during the periconceptional period. As expected with this high number of statistical tests, there were many associations with P-values<0.05; although there were fewer than predicted by chance alone. The strongest association in our data (between fetal FOLH1 and CPO, P=0.0008) is not in agreement with epidemiologic evidence that folic acid reduces the risk of CL/P in these data, not CPO. Despite strong evidence for genetic causes of oral facial clefts and the protective effects of maternal vitamins, we found no convincing indication that polymorphisms in these vitamin metabolism genes play an etiologic role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abee L Boyles
- Epidemiology Branch, NIEHS/NIH, Durham, North Carolina 27709, USA.
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Molloy AM, Brody LC, Mills JL, Scott JM, Kirke PN. The search for genetic polymorphisms in the homocysteine/folate pathway that contribute to the etiology of human neural tube defects. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 85:285-94. [PMID: 19235830 DOI: 10.1002/bdra.20566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we trace the history of current research into the genetic and biochemical mechanisms that underlie folate-preventable neural tube defects (NTDs). The inspired suggestion by Smithells that common vitamins might prevent NTDs ignited a decade of biochemical investigations-first exploring the nutritional and metabolic factors related to NTDs, then onto the hunt for NTD genes. Although NTDs were known to have a strong genetic component, the concept of common genetic variance being linked to disease risk was relatively novel in 1995, when the first folate-related polymorphism associated with NTDs was discovered. The realization that more genes must be involved started a rush to find polymorphic needles in genetic haystacks. Early efforts entailed the intellectually challenging and time-consuming task of identifying and analyzing candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in folate pathway genes. Luckily, human genome research has developed rapidly, and the search for the genetic factors that contribute to the etiology of human NTDs has evolved to mirror the increased level of knowledge and data available on the human genome. Large-scale candidate gene analysis and genome-wide association studies are now readily available. With the technical hurdles removed, the remaining challenge is to gather a sample large enough to uncover the polymorphisms that contribute to NTD risk. In some respects the real work is beginning. Although moving forward is exciting, it is humbling that the most important result-prevention of NTDs by maternal folic acid supplementation-was achieved years ago, the direct result of Smithells' groundbreaking studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne M Molloy
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.
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Abstract
This review provides a brief description of folate use and folic acid metabolism in relation to neural tube defect (NTD) risk. First, a meta-analysis of reduction in NTD recurrence and occurrence risk with periconceptional folic acid supplementation is presented. Second, an overview of the complex folate metabolism is given. Third, SNPs for genes involved in folate and homocysteine metabolism that have been studied in relation to NTD riskare discussed. Fourth, the questions whether folate receptor autoantibodies or hampered methylation are mechanisms underlying NTDs are briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henk J Blom
- Metabolic Unit, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Free University Medical Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Beaudin AE, Stover PJ. Insights into metabolic mechanisms underlying folate-responsive neural tube defects: a minireview. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 85:274-84. [PMID: 19180567 DOI: 10.1002/bdra.20553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs), including anencephaly and spina bifida, arise from the failure of neurulation during early embryonic development. Neural tube defects are common birth defects with a heterogenous and multifactorial etiology with interacting genetic and environmental risk factors. Although the mechanisms resulting in failure of neural tube closure are unknown, up to 70% of NTDs can be prevented by maternal folic acid supplementation. However, the metabolic mechanisms underlying the association between folic acid and NTD pathogenesis have not been identified. This review summarizes our current understanding of the mechanisms by which impairments in folate metabolism might ultimately lead to failure of neural tube closure, with an emphasis on untangling the relative contributions of nutritional deficiency and genetic risk factors to NTD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna E Beaudin
- Cornell University, Division of Nutritional Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
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Li F, Feng Q, Lee C, Wang S, Pelleymounter LL, Moon I, Eckloff BW, Wieben ED, Schaid DJ, Yee V, Weinshilboum RM. Human betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) and BHMT2: common gene sequence variation and functional characterization. Mol Genet Metab 2008; 94:326-35. [PMID: 18457970 PMCID: PMC2515933 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2008.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2008] [Revised: 03/13/2008] [Accepted: 03/13/2008] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) catalyzes the remethylation of homocysteine. BHMT2 encodes a protein 73% identical in amino acid sequence to BHMT, but the function of BHMT2 remains unclear. We set out to identify and functionally characterize common genetic variation in BHMT and BHMT2. Specifically, we sequenced exons, exon-intron splice junctions and the 5'-flanking regions (5'-FRs) of BHMT and BHMT2 using 240 DNA samples from four ethnic groups. Twenty-five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including 4 nonsynonymous SNPs, and 39 SNPs, including 4 nonsynonymous, were observed in BHMT and BHMT2, respectively. BHMT wild type (WT) and variant allozymes were expressed in COS-1 cells. Variant allozymes showed no significant differences from WT in levels of enzyme activity or immunoreactive protein, but there were statistically significant differences in apparent K(m) values. Luciferase reporter gene constructs were created for the three most common BHMT 5'-FR haplotypes, and significant variation was observed in the ability of these constructs to drive transcription. Although BHMT2 mRNA has been observed in human liver and kidney, expression of the protein has not been reported. We were unable to express BHMT2 in mammalian cells, and the protein aggregated after bacterial expression. Furthermore, BHMT2 was rapidly degraded in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate, but it could be stabilized by cotransfection of COS-1 cells with BHMT and, after cotransfection, it coprecipitated with BHMT. These studies have defined common genetic variation in BHMT and BHMT2 and functionally characterized BHMT SNPs. They may also help to explain why BHMT2 has not previously been defined functionally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Li
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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Johnson CY, Little J. Folate intake, markers of folate status and oral clefts: is the evidence converging? Int J Epidemiol 2008; 37:1041-58. [PMID: 18583393 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyn098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ability of folic acid in the periconceptional period to prevent the occurrence of neural tube defects has stimulated tremendous interest in its effects on other health outcomes. Its possible effect on oral clefts has generated considerable debate. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assemble evidence on the role of folate in the aetiology of cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) and cleft palate only (CPO). METHODS Medline, PubMed, Embase, Science Citation Index and the HuGE Published Literature Database were searched to February 2007 for articles related to oral clefts and multivitamin use, dietary folate, folic acid fortification, biochemical markers of folate status and polymorphisms in 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and other genes involved in folate metabolism. Random effects meta-analysis was conducted when appropriate. RESULTS Maternal multivitamin use was inversely associated with CL/P [odds ratio (OR) 0.75, 95% CI 0.65-0.88, based on 5717 cases and 59 784 controls] but to a lesser extent CPO (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.76-1.01, 2586 cases and 59 684 controls). The volume of evidence on dietary folate, fortification and biochemical and genetic measures of folate status is substantially less; in aggregate, the evidence suggests that no association exists but there is substantial heterogeneity between studies. CONCLUSIONS The evidence is not converging and there is no strong evidence for an association between oral clefts and folic acid intake alone. Multivitamin use in early pregnancy, however, may protect against oral clefts, especially CL/P although this association may be confounded by other lifestyle factors associated with multivitamin use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candice Y Johnson
- Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
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Boyles AL, Wilcox AJ, Taylor JA, Meyer K, Fredriksen A, Ueland PM, Drevon CA, Vollset SE, Lie RT. Folate and one-carbon metabolism gene polymorphisms and their associations with oral facial clefts. Am J Med Genet A 2008; 146A:440-9. [PMID: 18203168 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.32162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Folate metabolism plays a critical role in embryonic development. Prenatal folate supplementation reduces the risk of neural tube defects and probably oral facial clefts. Previous studies of related metabolic genes have associated polymorphisms in cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS) and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) with cleft risk. We explored associations between genes related to one-carbon metabolism and clefts in a Norwegian population-based study that included 362 families with cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) and 191 families with cleft palate only (CPO). We previously showed a 39% reduction in risk of CL/P with folic acid supplementation in this population. In the present study we genotyped 12 polymorphisms in nine genes related to one-carbon metabolism and looked for associations of clefting risk with fetal polymorphisms, maternal polymorphisms, as well as parent-of-origin effects, using combined likelihood-ratio tests (LRT). We also stratified by maternal periconceptional intake of folic acid (>400 microg) to explore gene-exposure interactions. We found a reduced risk of CL/P with mothers who carried the CBS C699T variant (rs234706); relative risk was 0.94 with one copy of the T allele (95% CI 0.63-1.4) and 0.50 (95% CI 0.26-0.96) with two copies (P = 0.008). We found no evidence of interaction of this variant with folate status. We saw no evidence of risk from the MTHFR C677T variant (rs1801133) either overall or after stratifying by maternal folate intake. No associations were found between any of the polymorphisms and CPO. Genetic variations in the nine metabolic genes examined here do not confer a substantial degree of risk for clefts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abee L Boyles
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences/NIH, Durham, North Carolina 27709, USA.
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Beaudin AE, Stover PJ. Folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism and neural tube defects: balancing genome synthesis and gene expression. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 81:183-203. [PMID: 17963270 DOI: 10.1002/bdrc.20100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) refer to a cluster of neurodevelopmental conditions associated with failure of neural tube closure during embryonic development. Worldwide prevalence of NTDs ranges from approximately 0.5 to 60 per 10,000 births, with regional and population-specific variation in prevalence. Numerous environmental and genetic influences contribute to NTD etiology; accumulating evidence from population-based studies has demonstrated that folate status is a significant determinant of NTD risk. Folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism (OCM) is essential for de novo nucleotide biosynthesis, methionine biosynthesis, and cellular methylation reactions. Periconceptional maternal supplementation with folic acid can prevent occurrence of NTDs in the general population by up to 70%; currently several countries fortify their food supply with folic acid for the prevention of NTDs. Despite the unambiguous impact of folate status on NTD risk, the mechanism by which folic acid protects against NTDs remains unknown. Identification of the mechanism by which folate status affects neural tube closure will assist in developing more efficacious and better targeted preventative measures. In this review, we summarize current research on the relationship between folate status and NTDs, with an emphasis on linking genetic variation, folate nutriture, and specific metabolic and/or genomic pathways that intersect to determine NTD outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna E Beaudin
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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Ji C, Shinohara M, Kuhlenkamp J, Chan C, Kaplowitz N. Mechanisms of protection by the betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase/betaine system in HepG2 cells and primary mouse hepatocytes. Hepatology 2007; 46:1586-96. [PMID: 17705221 PMCID: PMC2642650 DOI: 10.1002/hep.21854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) regulates homocysteine levels in the liver. We previously reported that the alteration of BHMT is associated with alcoholic liver steatosis and injury. In this study, we tested whether BHMT protects hepatocytes from homocysteine-induced injury and lipid accumulation. Both BHMT transfectants of HepG2 cells and primary mouse hepatocytes with suppressed BHMT were generated. Comparisons were made between the cell models with respect to their response to homocysteine treatments. Homocysteine metabolism was impaired in HepG2 cells, and the expression of BHMT in HepG2 cells ameliorated the impairment and stabilized the levels of intracellular homocysteine after the addition of exogenous homocysteine. BHMT expression inhibited homocysteine-induced glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP) and homocysteine-induced cell death. A betaine treatment protected primary mouse hepatocytes from a homocysteine-induced increase in GRP78 and cell death but not a tunicamycin-induced increase. Homocysteine induced greater CHOP expression (2.7-fold) in BHMT small interfering RNA (siRNA)-transfected cells than in a control (1.9-fold). Homocysteine-induced cell death was increased by 40% in the siRNA-treated cells in comparison with the control. Apolipoprotein B (apoB) expression was higher and triglycerides and cholesterol were lower in HepG2 expressing BHMT. In primary mouse hepatocytes, homocysteine induced the accumulation of triglycerides and cholesterol, which was reduced in the presence of betaine. Betaine partially reduced homocysteine-induced sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 expression in HepG2 cells and increased S-adenosylmethionine in primary mouse hepatocytes. CONCLUSION The BHMT/betaine system directly protects hepatocytes from homocysteine-induced injury but not tunicamycin-induced injury, including an endoplasmic reticulum stress response, lipid accumulation, and cell death. This system also exhibits a more generalized effect on liver lipids by inducing ApoB expression and increasing S-adenosylmethionine/S-adenosylhomocysteine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Ji
- University of Southern California Research Center for Liver Disease, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
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Koushik A, Kraft P, Fuchs CS, Hankinson SE, Willett WC, Giovannucci EL, Hunter DJ. Nonsynonymous polymorphisms in genes in the one-carbon metabolism pathway and associations with colorectal cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007; 15:2408-17. [PMID: 17164363 DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-06-0624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Ala(222)Val single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the gene for 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), a critical enzyme in one-carbon metabolism, has been associated with colorectal cancer risk. Many enzymes are involved in one-carbon metabolism, and SNPs in the corresponding genes may play a role in colorectal carcinogenesis. We examined 24 nonsynonymous SNPs in 13 genes involved in the one-carbon metabolism pathway in relation to the risk of colorectal cancer in a case-control study nested in the Nurses' Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study cohorts. Among 376 men and women with colorectal cancer and 849 controls, a reduced risk of colorectal cancer was observed for Val/Val versus Ala carriers of MTHFR Ala(222)Val [odds ratio (OR), 0.66; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.43-1.00]. An increased risk was suggested for the variant carrier genotypes versus homozygous wild-type for betaine hydroxymethyltransferase Arg(239)Gln (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.07-1.83) and two linked SNPs in methionine synthase reductase, Ser(284)Thr (OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.05-3.27) and Arg(415)Cys (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.15-3.56). The other SNPs were not associated with colorectal cancer risk. Also, none of the SNPs were associated with risk in subgroups of dietary methyl status or were jointly associated with colorectal cancer risk in combination with another SNP, except possibly SNPs in methionine synthase and transcobalamin II. However, these analyses of gene-diet interactions were limited in statistical power. Our results corroborate previous findings for MTHFR Ala(222)Val and suggest that other genes involved in one-carbon metabolism, particularly those that affect DNA methylation, may be associated with colorectal cancer risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Koushik
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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van der Linden IJM, Afman LA, Heil SG, Blom HJ. Genetic variation in genes of folate metabolism and neural-tube defect risk. Proc Nutr Soc 2006; 65:204-15. [PMID: 16672082 DOI: 10.1079/pns2006495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Neural-tube defects (NTD) are common congenital malformations that can lead to severe disability or even death. Periconceptional supplementation with the B-vitamin folic acid has been demonstrated to prevent 50-70% of NTD cases. Since the identification of the first genetic risk factor of NTD, the C677T single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, and the observation that elevated plasma homocysteine levels are associated with NTD, research has focused on genetic variation in genes encoding for enzymes of folate metabolism and the closely-related homocysteine metabolism. In the present review relevant SNP in genes that code for enzymes involved in folate transport and uptake, the folate cycles and homocysteine metabolism are summarised and the importance of these SNP discussed in relation to NTD risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivon J M van der Linden
- Laboratory of Pediatrics and Neurology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Boyles AL, Billups AV, Deak KL, Siegel DG, Mehltretter L, Slifer SH, Bassuk AG, Kessler JA, Reed MC, Nijhout HF, George TM, Enterline DS, Gilbert JR, Speer MC. Neural tube defects and folate pathway genes: family-based association tests of gene-gene and gene-environment interactions. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2006; 114:1547-52. [PMID: 17035141 PMCID: PMC1626421 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.9166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Folate metabolism pathway genes have been examined for association with neural tube defects (NTDs) because folic acid supplementation reduces the risk of this debilitating birth defect. Most studies addressed these genes individually, often with different populations providing conflicting results. OBJECTIVES Our study evaluates several folate pathway genes for association with human NTDs, incorporating an environmental cofactor: maternal folate supplementation. METHODS In 304 Caucasian American NTD families with myelomeningocele or anencephaly, we examined 28 polymorphisms in 11 genes: folate receptor 1, folate receptor 2, solute carrier family 19 member 1, transcobalamin II, methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 1, serine hydroxymethyl-transferase 1, 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homo-cysteine methyltransferase, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase reductase, betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT), and cystathionine-beta-synthase. RESULTS Only single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in BHMT were significantly associated in the overall data set; this significance was strongest when mothers took folate-containing nutritional supplements before conception. The BHMT SNP rs3733890 was more significant when the data were stratified by preferential transmission of the MTHFR rs1801133 thermolabile T allele from parent to offspring. Other SNPs in folate pathway genes were marginally significant in some analyses when stratified by maternal supplementation, MTHFR, or BHMT allele transmission. CONCLUSIONS BHMT rs3733890 is significantly associated in our data set, whereas MTHFR rs1801133 is not a major risk factor. Further investigation of folate and methionine cycle genes will require extensive SNP genotyping and/or resequencing to identify novel variants, inclusion of environmental factors, and investigation of gene-gene interactions in large data sets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abee L. Boyles
- Center for Human Genetics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ashley V. Billups
- Center for Human Genetics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kristen L. Deak
- Center for Human Genetics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Deborah G. Siegel
- Center for Human Genetics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Lorraine Mehltretter
- Center for Human Genetics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Susan H. Slifer
- Center for Human Genetics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Alexander G. Bassuk
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - John A. Kessler
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | | | | | - David S. Enterline
- Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - John R. Gilbert
- Center for Human Genetics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Marcy C. Speer
- Center for Human Genetics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Address correspondence to M.C. Speer, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3445, Durham, NC 27710 USA. Telephone: (919) 684-2702. Fax: (919) 684-0917. E-mail:
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