Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/42779

OpenURL Link
Title
Preliminary evidence for genetic selection of 677T→MTHFR by natural annual cycle of folate abundance
Author/Creator
Lucock, Mark;  Yates, Zoe;  Ng, Xiaowei;  Veysey, Martin;  Blades, Barbara;  Travers, Cheryl;  Lewis, Peter;  Sturm, Jonathan;  Roach, Paul
Institution
The University of Newcastle. Faculty of Faculty of Science & Information Technology, School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Description
Background/Aims: Folic acid mediates transfer of one-carbon units into methionine and DNA-thymine biosynthesis. Discretionary and mandatory use of synthetic folic acid (SFA) to reduce spina bifida is on the increase. We show that historically, the seasonal cycle of abundance of folate-rich foods may have regulated embryo viability by acting as a selection factor for a significant polymorphism within a gene encoding 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (677CT→MTHFR). Methods: Blood was collected from 150 UK and 118 Australian subjects born prior to discretionary or mandatory use of SFA. 677CT→MTHFR genotype was determined using PCR. Results: The highest prevalence for 677T→MTHFR occurred 9 months post-harvest in UK subjects and was significantly higher at this time of year (July-Sept.) compared with Jan.-Mar. (OR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.03-3.87, p = 0.039) and Oct.-Dec. (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.12-4.31, p = 0.021). This effect was not detected in an Australian population subject to more moderate seasonality. Conclusions: Dietary folate may confer significant genetic buffering within populations dependent upon seasonal food sources that modify an individual's vitamin status at the time of conception.
Relation
Journal of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics Vol. 1, Issue 1-2, p. 24-29
Publisher Link
http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000109872
Date
2008
Publisher
S. Karger AG
Keyword(s)
folic acid;  dietary folic acid;  vitamin;  polymorphism;  methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase;  677CT→MTHFR
Resource Type
journal article
Identifier
http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/42779
Identifier
ISSN:1661-6499
Reviewed
Reviewed
17 Visitors 18 Hits 0 Downloads
Save/E-mail Citation
Citation Format
E-mail Address
Subject
"Journal of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics"
 
OR