Polymorphic variants of folate metabolism genes and the risk of laryngeal cancer

Mol Biol Rep. 2010 Jan;37(1):241-7. doi: 10.1007/s11033-009-9643-y. Epub 2009 Aug 1.

Abstract

Carcinogenesis may result from abnormal methylation of cancer-related genes regulatory sequence. Though, the polymorphic variants of genes encoding enzymes of folate and methionine metabolism may have an effect on DNA methylation. Using PCR-RFLPs, we examined the polymorphism distribution of genes encoding methionine synthase (MTR); 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase, 5,10-methenyltetrahydrofolate cyclohydrolase and 10-formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase (MTHFD1); and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) in patients with larynx cancer (n = 131) and controls (n = 250). Patients with MTR 2756AG or GG genotypes displayed a 1.856 -fold increased risk of larynx cancer (95% CI = 1.1860-2.903, P = 0.0076). However, we did not observe an increased risk for the homozygous GG genotype OR = 1.960 (95% CI = 0.6722-5.713, P = 0.2535). Moreover, we did not observe statistical differences in distribution of MTHFR 677C>T, 1298A>C and MTHFD1 1958G>A allele and genotype frequencies in patients and controls. Our findings confirm the significance of the role of the methyl cycle in etiopathogenesis of laryngeal cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate-Homocysteine S-Methyltransferase / genetics*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Folic Acid / metabolism*
  • Gene Frequency / genetics
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Humans
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Male
  • Methylenetetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase (NADP) / genetics*
  • Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / genetics*
  • Middle Aged
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / genetics*

Substances

  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Folic Acid
  • Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)
  • MTHFD1 protein, human
  • Methylenetetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase (NADP)
  • 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate-Homocysteine S-Methyltransferase