Polymorphisms in genes involved in folate metaboli... [Arch Oral Biol. 2011] - PubMed result

Arch Oral Biol. 2011 Feb 8. [Epub ahead of print]

Polymorphisms in genes involved in folate metabolism and orofacial clefts.
Bhaskar LV, Murthy J, Venkatesh Babu G.

Department of Biomedical Sciences, Sri Ramachandra University, No. 1 Ramachandra Nagar, Porur, Chennai 600116, India.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Orofacial clefts (OFCs) are one of the most common birth defects in humans. Maternal use of folate antagonists including dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors has been associated with a higher risk of OFCs thus suggesting that folate-related metabolism and associated genes may be involved in pathogenesis of OFC. The association between folate intake and risk of OFCs however is inconsistent.

OBJECTIVE: To review the published evidence that polymorphisms in genes that affect folate metabolism are associated with an increased risk of OFCs.

METHODS: We reviewed articles published up until October 2010, on polymorphisms of genes related to folate and homocysteine metabolism and their associations with OFCs. Articles were identified via Medline searches.

CONCLUSIONS: No consistent evidence emerged of a strong association between risk of OFCs and any known gene related to folate metabolism. Further, recent genome-wide association studies have not identified associations between OFCs and folate-related genes. Further studies are warranted to determine whether gene-environment interactions, including gene-nutrient interactions and epigenetic modifications of genes affect the risk of OFCs.

Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
PMID: 21310392 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Polymorphisms in genes involved in folate metaboli... [Arch Oral Biol. 2011] - PubMed result