Methionine synthase A2756G polymorphism influences pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia risk: a meta-analysis

Methionine Synthase Reductase A66G Variant in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patients

Background

Methionine synthase reductase, which is encoded by the methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) gene, plays a crucial role in the methylation reactions and the production of DNA and its epigenetic processes. There was a correlation between the MTRR (A66G) polymorphism and the likelihood of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This study was carried out to investigate the correlation among pediatric ALL cases.

Methods

Within the participant population of this case-control study, there were 86 individuals who had been diagnosed with ALL, and there were also 150 healthy persons who acted as the control group. To determine the MTRR (A66G) polymorphism, DNA was first extracted and then observed through the use of real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results

The results of the flow cytometry analysis showed that the prevalence of B-cell ALL (B-ALL) was much higher than that of T-cell ALL (T-ALL), which accounted for only 20 cases (23.3%). Upon comparing the hematological parameters of ALL subtypes in patients with T-ALL, it was discovered that there was a statistically significant higher mean total white blood count (P < 0.0005) and mean blast percentage (P = 0.050). Upon examination, it was discovered that both of these figures were much higher than the average. In accordance with the results of the molecular analysis, the occurrence of the MTRR homozygous GG genotype was found to be considerably lower in the patients' group (4.65%) than in the control group (20.67%). However, the MTRR homozygous AA and heterozygous AG were nearly similar in the two groups. The risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and MTRR genotypes, on the other hand, exhibited a correlation that was not statistically significant (P = 0.082).

Conclusions

The study's findings showed that among pediatric ALL patients, the MTRR A66G polymorphism was not linked to an increased risk of ALL.

HNRNPC mediated m6A methylation of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase and involved in the occurrence of RSA

N6-methyladenosine methylated modification has been shown to play roles in recurrent spontaneous abortion. We aimed to explore role of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein C in the occurrence of recurrent spontaneous abortion. We collected embryonic villous tissues from 3 patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA group) and 3 normal control pregnancy patients. Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing, RNA sequencing, methylated RNA immunoprecipitation quantitative PCR were conducted to detect the differentially expressed m6A methylation modification gene and regulatory gene in patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion. Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing and RNA sequencing results showed that the mRNA expression level of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein C significantly decreased in RSA group and mRNA expression level of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase increased. Real-time quantitative PCR confirmed the differential expression of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein C and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase. Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation quantitative PCR result showed that mRNA m6A modification level of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase decreased in RSA group. The results of western blotting, real-time quantitative PCR, immunofluorescence, matrigel invasion and wound healing assays indicated that heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein C might regulate the expression of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase by mediating m6A modification, thereby reducing the proliferation and migration of trophoblast cell line, ultimately leading to the occurrence of recurrent spontaneous abortion.

Amino acids in hematologic malignancies: Current status and future perspective

In recent years, growing emphasis has been placed on amino acids and their role in hematologic malignancies. Cancer cell metabolism is altered during tumorigenesis and development to meet expanding energetic and biosynthetic demands. Amino acids not only act as energy-supplying substances, but also play a vital role via regulating key signaling pathways, modulating epigenetic factors and remodeling tumor microenvironment. Targeting amino acids may be an effective therapeutic approach to address the current therapeutic challenges. Here, we provide an updated overview of mechanisms by which amino acids facilitate tumor development and therapy resistance. We also summarize novel therapies targeting amino acids, focusing on recent advances in basic research and their potential clinical implications.

The opportunities and challenges for nutritional intervention in childhood cancers

Diet dictates nutrient availability in the tumor microenvironment, thus affecting tumor metabolic activity and growth. Intrinsically, tumors develop unique metabolic features and are sensitive to environmental nutrient concentrations. Tumor-driven nutrient dependencies provide opportunities to control tumor growth by nutritional restriction or supplementation. This review summarized the existing data on nutrition and pediatric cancers after systematically searching articles up to 2023 from four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Ovid MEDLINE). Epidemiological studies linked malnutrition with advanced disease stages and poor clinical outcomes in pediatric cancer patients. Experimental studies identified several nutrient dependencies (i.e., amino acids, lipids, vitamins, etc.) in major pediatric cancer types. Dietary modifications such as calorie restriction, ketogenic diet, and nutrient restriction/supplementation supported pediatric cancer treatment, but studies remain limited. Future research should expand epidemiological studies through data sharing and multi-institutional collaborations and continue to discover critical and novel nutrient dependencies to find optimal nutritional approaches for pediatric cancer patients.

Gene-Gene Interaction Study Between Genetic Polymorphisms of Folate Metabolism and MTR SNPs on Prognostic Features Impact for Breast Cancer

Background

Breast Cancer (BC), the second leading cause of cancer mortality after lung cancer and varied across the world due to genetic and environmental factors. In this study, we evaluated the interaction between the polymorphisms in genes encoding enzymes of folate metabolism: methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), methionine synthesis reductase (MTR) with the BC prognostic factors.

Methods

This study was conducted on 160 Egyptian subjects, 60 controls and 100 cases. Sequencing, RFLP analysis in addition to statistical analysis including Chi-squared test, haplotype analysis was used to evaluate associations with BC risk and its clinicopathological parameters. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using unconditional logistic regression.

Results

Strong significant association with breast cancer risk was observed for the haplotype (T-C-G) of MTHFR C677T/ MTHFR A1289C and MTRA2576G and hormonal receptor expression (ER-/PR-/HER2+), bigger and advanced tumor and metastatic lymph nodes. However, no significant difference was observed for age.

Conclusion

The combination of SNPs from MTHFR and MTR genes has a more synergistically genetic effect on BC disease progression. These SNPs could be used as tumor aggressiveness markers among Egyptian females with BC and could help in saving money and time.

Homocysteine metabolism as the target for predictive medical approach, disease prevention, prognosis, and treatments tailored to the person

Homocysteine (Hcy) metabolism is crucial for regulating methionine availability, protein homeostasis, and DNA-methylation presenting, therefore, key pathways in post-genomic and epigenetic regulation mechanisms. Consequently, impaired Hcy metabolism leading to elevated concentrations of Hcy in the blood plasma (hyperhomocysteinemia) is linked to the overproduction of free radicals, induced oxidative stress, mitochondrial impairments, systemic inflammation and increased risks of eye disorders, coronary artery diseases, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, thrombotic events, cancer development and progression, osteoporosis, neurodegenerative disorders, pregnancy complications, delayed healing processes, and poor COVID-19 outcomes, among others. This review focuses on the homocysteine metabolism impairments relevant for various pathological conditions. Innovative strategies in the framework of 3P medicine consider Hcy metabolic pathways as the specific target for in vitro diagnostics, predictive medical approaches, cost-effective preventive measures, and optimized treatments tailored to the individualized patient profiles in primary, secondary, and tertiary care.

The Effects of Polymorphisms in One-carbon Metabolism Genes on Manifestation of Ichthyosis Vulgaris

BACKGROUND: Ichthyosis vulgaris is the most common type of Mendelian disorders of cornification, caused by loss-of-function mutations in the gene encoding epidermal protein filaggrin (FLG), namely R501X and 2282del4. FLG 2282del4 mutation in heterozygotes is incompletely penetrant. Polymorphisms in one-carbon metabolism genes could be associated with clinical manifestation of ichthyosis vulgaris. AIM: The purpose of the present study was to analyze the effects of MTHFR, MTR and MTRR polymorphisms in patients with ichthyosis vulgaris. METHODS: 31 patients with ichthyosis vulgaris, 7 their FLG heterozygous relatives without symptoms of disorder, and 150 healthy controls were enrolled in study. FLG null mutations —R501X (rs61816761) and 2282del4 (rs558269137) — and one-carbon metabolism gene polymorphisms — MTHFR C677T (rs1801133), MTHFR A1298C (rs1801131), MTR A2756G (rs1805087) and MTRR A66G (rs1801394) — were analyzed by a polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay. RESULTS: Among patients with ichthyosis, heterozygous for FLG 2282del4 mutation, the distributions of genotypes for folate metabolism genes were: MTHFR C677T CC:CT:TT —29.4%:70.6%:0.0%; MTHFR A1298C AA:AC:CC — 52.9%:47.1%:0.0%; MTR A2756G AA:AG:GG — 70.3%:23.5%:5.9%; MTRR A66G AA:AG:GG — 23.4%:52.9%:23.5%. The frequencies of MTR 2756AA and MTRR 66GG genotypes were 1.4–1.6 times higher in affected individuals heterozygous for 2282del4 than in patients with other FLG genotypes. In affected 2282del4 heterozygotes, the frequency of MTR 2756AA genotype was 1.6 times greater than in healthy controls (p<0.01). The strongest association was found between MTHFR 677CT/MTHFR 1298AA/MTR 2756AA/MTRR 66AG genotype and ichthyosis — OR=11.23 (95% CI 2.51−50.21, p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Various genotypes of one-carbon metabolism genes increase the risk of ichthyosis in heterozygotes for the FLG 2282del4 mutation (OR 2.799‑11.231). The most probable predisposing genotype is 677CT/1298AA/2756AA+AG/66AG.

Plasma Homocysteine and Polymorphisms of Genes Involved in Folate Metabolism Correlate with DNMT1 Gene Methylation Levels

DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) is responsible for the maintenance of DNA methylation patterns during cell division. Several human diseases are characterized by impaired DNMT1 gene methylation, but less is known about the factors that regulate DNMT1 promoter methylation levels. Dietary folates and related B-vitamins are essential micronutrients for DNA methylation processes, and we performed the present study to investigate the contribution of circulating folate, vitamin B12, homocysteine, and common polymorphisms in folate pathway genes to the DNMT1 gene methylation levels. We investigated DNMT1 gene methylation levels in peripheral blood DNA samples from 215 healthy individuals. All the DNA samples were genotyped for MTHFR 677C > T (rs1801133) and 1298A > C (rs1801131), MTRR 66A > G (rs1801394), MTR 2756A > G (rs1805087), SLC19A1 (RFC1) 80G > A (rs1051266), TYMS 28-bp tandem repeats (rs34743033) and 1494 6-bp insertion/deletion (indel) (rs34489327), DNMT3A -448A > G (rs1550117), and DNMT3B -149C > T (rs2424913) polymorphisms. Circulating homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12 levels were available from 158 of the recruited individuals. We observed an inverse correlation between plasma homocysteine and DNMT1 methylation levels. Furthermore, both MTR rs1805087 and TYMS rs34743033 polymorphisms showed a statistically significant effect on DNMT1 methylation levels. The present study revealed several correlations between the folate metabolic pathway and DNMT1 promoter methylation that could be of relevance for those disorders characterized by altered DNA methylation.