Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:1.5.7.1 (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase)
2,116 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

A common missense mutation of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene (C677T) has been shown to be a risk factor for premature cardiovascular disease and neural tube defect. Deficient activity of MTHFR has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia and affective disorders. Arinami et al found an increased frequency of homozygosity for the mutated type (T677) of the MTHFR gene in schizophrenia and depression. We tried to replicate this finding in a sample of 343 patients with schizophrenia, 143 with bipolar disorder, 71 with unipolar depression, and 258 controls; however, there was no significantly increased frequency of homozygosity for the T677 allele in any of the diagnostic groups, compared to the controls. Our results suggest that homozygosity for the T677 allele of the MTHFR gene is unlikely to play a major role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia or affective disorders in our sample.
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PMID:C677T polymorphism in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene and psychoses. 1020 43

Homozygotes (TT genotype) for the C677T mutation in the gene of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (C677T/MTHFR mutation) constitute about 12% of the Caucasian population. They have mild hyperhomocysteinemia which is an established risk factor for cardiovascular disease. If the mutation is associated with premature death its prevalence is expected to be lower in the elderly than in the young. To test this we determined the C677T/MTHFR genotypes in 220 newborn and 222 elderly 80-108-year-old Swedes. In the newborn and elderly, the allele frequency, of the C677T/MTHFR mutation was 29.1 and 27.0% and the mutant homozygote frequency was 10.0 and 9.5%, respectively. In a meta analysis of the present and three previous studies including a total of 1388 elderly and 1415 younger subjects, the odds ratio (OR) representing the likelihood of the TT genotype to attain old age relative to the CC genotype was 0.87 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.69-1.11) and relative to both the CC and CT genotypes was 0.83 (95% CI, 0.66-1.04). This finding does not suggest that the C677T/MTHFR mutation is a strong risk factor for diseases frequently leading to premature death.
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PMID:A common methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene mutation and longevity. 1053 96

Mild hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular disease. Homozygosity for the C677T mutation in the gene for 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is frequently associated with hyperhomocysteinemia, particularly in individuals with low levels of serum folate, and has been directly associated with cardiovascular disease in certain populations. The purpose of this study was to establish whether the C677T mutation, which causes thermolabile MTHFR, is a risk factor for ischemic stroke in the Irish population. The homozygous C677T genotype has previously been associated with coronary heart disease in Ireland. We collected blood from 174 individuals (minimum age 60 years) who had suffered an ischemic stroke that was confirmed by computed tomography brain scan. Control subjects (n=183) aged >/=60 years, who had never suffered a stroke or transient ischemic attack, were recruited from hospitals and active retirement groups in the same geographical area. MTHFR genotypes were determined and other known risk factors for stroke were documented. In the control group, the frequency of subjects with the homozygous C677T genotype was 10.4%. In patients who had suffered ischemic stroke, the frequency was 15.5%. This difference was not statistically significant. The odds ratio of stroke for C677T homozygotes, with other genotypes as a reference group, was 1.59, 95% CI=0.85, 2.97. The data indicate that the homozygous C677T MTHFR genotype is at most a moderate risk factor for ischemic stroke.
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PMID:Genetic analysis of the thermolabile variant of 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase as a risk factor for ischemic stroke. 997 99

An elevated level of homocysteine in plasma is associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular disease. A common ala-to-val mutation in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR) is associated with an elevated level of plasma homocysteine. We studied the possible detrimental effects of the MTHFR mutation on mortality. Within a population-based study in the city of Leiden, the Netherlands, we first compared the MTHFR genotype distribution among 365 elderly subjects aged 85 years and over born in Leiden, and 250 young subjects aged 18 to 40 years whose families originated from the same geographical region. Second, the complete cohort of 666 subjects aged 85 years and over was followed over a period of 10 years for all-cause and cause-specific mortality and stratified according to MTHFR genotype. The frequency of the MTHFR mutation was significantly lower in the elderly than in the young (0.30 and 0.36, respectively; P = 0.03). The difference in genotype distribution was only present in men. The estimated mortality risk up to 85 years in men carrying the vallval genotype was 3.7 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.3-10.9). Over the age of 85, mortality in men with the vallval genotype was increased 2.0-fold (95% CI, 1.1-3.9) and appeared to be attributable to cancer rather than cardiovascular causes of death. Among women aged 85 years and over, no deleterious effect of the MTHFR mutation was observed. In conclusion, the MTHFR mutation is associated with increased mortality in men in middle and old age, but not in women.
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PMID:Mortality risk in men is associated with a common mutation in the methylene-tetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR). 1019 3

Elevated plasma homocysteine levels are associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease and neural tube defects in humans. Folate treatment decreases homocysteine levels and dramatically reduces the incidence of neural tube defects. The flavoprotein methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a likely target for these actions of folate. The most common genetic cause of mildly elevated plasma homocysteine in humans is the MTHFR polymorphism A222V (base change C677-->T). The X-ray analysis of E. coli MTHFR, reported here, provides a model for the catalytic domain that is shared by all MTHFRs. This domain is a beta8alpha8 barrel that binds FAD in a novel fashion. Ala 177, corresponding to Ala 222 in human MTHFR, is near the bottom of the barrel and distant from the FAD. The mutation A177V does not affect Km or k(cat) but instead increases the propensity for bacterial MTHFR to lose its essential flavin cofactor. Folate derivatives protect wild-type and mutant E. coli enzymes against flavin loss, and protect human MTHFR and the A222V mutant against thermal inactivation, suggesting a mechanism by which folate treatment reduces homocysteine levels.
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PMID:The structure and properties of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase from Escherichia coli suggest how folate ameliorates human hyperhomocysteinemia. 1020 87

Elevated homocysteine is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and has been associated with a common C677T polymorphism in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene. Estrogen use has been shown to reduce homocysteine concentrations, suggesting that this might contribute to the cardiovascular benefit of hormone replacement therapy. We examined 90 postmenopausal women to determine if MTHFR genotype affected the response of homocysteine to hormone replacement therapy. Women with the TT genotype did not show decreased homocysteine in response to hormone replacement therapy as demonstrated for women with the CC genotype and may receive decreased cardiovascular benefits from hormone replacement therapy.
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PMID:The C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphism influences the homocysteine-lowering effect of hormone replacement therapy. 1032 22

Hyperhomocysteinaemia is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The C677T mutation of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a common genetic cause of increased homocysteine (HCY) levels. Post-methionine-load HCY concentrations allow identification of certain cases of hyperhomocysteinaemia not demonstrated by fasting levels. This study investigated the relationship between MTHFR polymorphism and (1) fasting HCY levels (77 patients); (2) post-methionine HCY levels (54 patients); and (3) postprandial HCY concentrations (36 patients) in cardiovascular disease. As expected, mean fasting HCY value was higher in the +/+ patients. Moreover, patients who were homozygous for the mutation exhibited significantly increased mean post-methionine-load HCY; in contrast, literature results are conflicting. Mean postprandial HCY, which is not known to be increased in controls, was also increased in the (+/+) patients, although the difference did not reach statistical significance, probably owing to the small size of the sample. MTFHR polymorphism is known to be aggravated by a drop in circulating folate. Additional risk factors may be more prevalent in patients with cardiovascular disease.
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PMID:Fasting, postprandial, and post-methionine-load homocysteinaemia and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphism in vascular disease. 1039 90

A common mutation in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), a homocysteine metabolic pathway enzyme, has been associated with increased homocysteine levels and increased risk for premature cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between the prevalence of the MTHFR mutation, hyperhomocysteinemia, and subtypes of ischemic stroke in an elderly population comprised of three age-balanced groups of patients. The presence of the C677T MTHFR mutation was determined by a direct polymerase chain reaction-based assay performed on blood samples from 136 patients with acute ischemic stroke, 95 patients with atherosclerotic risk factors for stroke (including some with a history of previous stroke or transient ischemic attack), and 52 healthy control subjects. The prevalence of the homozygous C677T mutation was not significantly higher in the elderly stroke patients (7%) than in the atherosclerotic risk (8%) or healthy elderly control (2%) groups. Plasma homocysteine levels were higher in the acute stroke patient group (14.5+/-4.5 micromol/L) and atherosclerotic risk patient group (14.6+/-6.2 micromol/L) compared with the control subjects (10.3+/-3.1 micromol/ L, P < 0.03). Homozygotes for the C677T MTHFR mutation did not have significantly higher homocysteine levels than non-homozygotes. Moderate hyperhomocysteinemia, though common in older patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease, is not attributable, at least in this patient group, to a higher prevalence of the C677T MTHFR mutation.
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PMID:Role of a common mutation in the homocysteine regulatory enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase in ischemic stroke. 1040 94

A total of 821 women of Hispanic descent aged 21-65 years, were screened for total and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol through outpatient clinics and public screening. Of this group, 78 were invited back for further testing because they had a total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio exceeding 4.5 indicative of high risk for cardiovascular disease. Written consent and a fasting blood sample was obtained from these women, and tested for serum homocysteine. The concentrations for 77 of the 78 women (mean 8. 40+/-2.24, range 4.21-13.99 micromol/l) were within the pre-established normal range for women. One subject had an exceptionally high homocysteine concentration of 137 micromol/l. This subject subsequently developed a stroke and has been institutionalized since that time. Blood from the subject and immediate family members were tested for the 5'-10'-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism. The subject and her children were both hyperhomocysteinemic and heterozygous for the mutation. One of the children also had a low vitamin B12 concentration in blood. Although the high homocysteine and cardiovascular risk in these subjects were likely due to a dietary deficiency of the vitamins, the MTHFR mutation may have also been a contributing factor. With the availability of rapid assays, screening blood for homocysteine in subjects deemed at high risk for cardiovascular disease may be justified.
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PMID:Homocysteine screening of a female Hispanic population. 1042 82

Over the past few years, a substantial body of evidence has accumulated that indicates hyperhomocysteinemia as a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Hyperhomocysteinemia arises from a lack of key enzymes or vitamins such as methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, vitamin B6, and folate which are involved in homocysteine metabolism. Heavy coffee consumption is also known to elevate homocysteine levels. The adverse effects associated with hyperhomocysteinemia are extensive. It increases risk of myocardial infarction, cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality, peripheral vascular disease, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease. Its seriousness as a risk factor has been equated to hypercholesterolemia and smoking, two leading causes for cardiovascular disease. It also has been shown to produce a multiplicative effect with these and other risk factors such as hypertension. Two major hypotheses have been proposed to explain how homocysteine induces its harmful effects. It can damage endothelial cells lining the vasculature, allowing plaque formation. Simultaneously, it interferes with the vasodilatory effect of endothelial derived nitric oxide. Also, homocysteine has been found to promote vascular smooth muscle cells hypertrophy. Both of these processes induce vessel occlusion. Maintaining a normal plasma level of homocysteine as a means to prevent cardiovascular disease appears promising. This is achieved through increased intake of folate and vitamin B6 through diet or supplementation. Despite the overwhelming evidence suggesting homocysteine as a significant risk factor, no long-term prospective studies have been completed to demonstrate that folate and vitamin B6 can prevent cardiovascular disease related morbidity and mortality in patients with hyperhomocysteinemia. Homocysteine is a key metabolite in amino acid synthesis. During the process of methylation, S-adenosylmethionine (Ado Met), derived from methionine, is converted to S-Adenosylhomocysteine (Figure 1). This product is quickly hydrolyzed to form homocysteine and adenosine. Homocysteine can undergo 1 of 3 reactions depending on the status of the organism. If cysteine levels are inadequate, homocysteine utilizes the coenzyme pyridoxal phosphate (vitamin B6) to condense with serine, forming the intermediate cystathionine. Subsequent reactions with cystathionine lead to the formation of cysteine. When methionine levels are low, homocysteine is remethylated in a reaction involving the coenzyme N5-methyltetrahydrofolate or betaine. Finally, when both amino acids are in adequate supply, homocysteine is cleaved by the enzyme homocysteine desulthydrase (cystathionase) to form a-ketobutyrate, ammonia, and H2S. Thus, homocysteine's physiological role is to assist in maintaining sulfur-amino acid homeostasis. Beyond these metabolic processes, homocysteine is beginning to be recognized as a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease including atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, and myocardial infarction.
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PMID:Hyperhomocysteinemia: an additional cardiovascular risk factor. 1063 97


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