A functional polymorphism in the reduced folate carrier gene and DNA hypomethylation in mothers of children with autism
The biologic basis of autism is complex and is thought to involve multiple and variable gene–environment interactions. While the logical focus has been on the affected child, the impact of maternal genetics on intrauterine microenvironment during pivotal developmental windows could be substantial. F...
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Published in | American journal of medical genetics. Part B, Neuropsychiatric genetics Vol. 153B; no. 6; pp. 1209 - 1220 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Hoboken
Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company
01.09.2010
Wiley-Liss |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | The biologic basis of autism is complex and is thought to involve multiple and variable gene–environment interactions. While the logical focus has been on the affected child, the impact of maternal genetics on intrauterine microenvironment during pivotal developmental windows could be substantial. Folate‐dependent one carbon metabolism is a highly polymorphic pathway that regulates the distribution of one‐carbon derivatives between DNA synthesis (proliferation) and DNA methylation (cell‐specific gene expression and differentiation). These pathways are essential to support the programmed shifts between proliferation and differentiation during embryogenesis and organogenesis. Maternal genetic variants that compromise intrauterine availability of folate derivatives could alter fetal cell trajectories and disrupt normal neurodevelopment. In this investigation, the frequency of common functional polymorphisms in the folate pathway was investigated in a large population‐based sample of autism case‐parent triads. In case–control analysis, a significant increase in the reduced folate carrier (RFC1) G allele frequency was found among case mothers, but not among fathers or affected children. Subsequent log linear analysis of the RFC1 A80G genotype within family trios revealed that the maternal G allele was associated with a significant increase in risk of autism whereas the inherited genotype of the child was not. Further, maternal DNA from the autism mothers was found to be significantly hypomethylated relative to reference control DNA. Metabolic profiling indicated that plasma homocysteine, adenosine, and S‐adenosylhomocyteine were significantly elevated among autism mothers consistent with reduced methylation capacity and DNA hypomethylation. Together, these results suggest that the maternal genetics/epigenetics may influence fetal predisposition to autism. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. |
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Bibliography: | ark:/67375/WNG-Q0873SCN-J istex:4C38F80C1EFF98B1EFBE803F15789B22AD472069 ArticleID:AJMG31094 How to cite this article: James SJ, Melnyk S, Jernigan S, Pavliv O, Trusty T, Lehman S, Seidel L, Gaylor DW, Cleves MA. 2010. A Functional Polymorphism in the Reduced Folate Carrier Gene and DNA Hypomethylation in Mothers of Children With Autism. Am J Med Genet Part B 153B:1209-1220. National Institute of Child Health and Development - No. RO1 HD051873 How to cite this article: James SJ, Melnyk S, Jernigan S, Pavliv O, Trusty T, Lehman S, Seidel L, Gaylor DW, Cleves MA. 2010. A Functional Polymorphism in the Reduced Folate Carrier Gene and DNA Hypomethylation in Mothers of Children With Autism. Am J Med Genet Part B 153B:1209–1220. ObjectType-Article-2 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-1 content type line 23 ObjectType-Article-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 |
ISSN: | 1552-4841 1552-485X 1552-485X |
DOI: | 10.1002/ajmg.b.31094 |