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Wu T, Lan QY, Tian F, Xiong XY, Yang MT, Huang SY, Chen XY, Kuchan MJ, Li X, Zhao YR, Mao YY, Zhu HL. Longitudinal changes in choline concentration and associated factors in human breast milk. Clin Nutr 2023; 42:1647-1656. [PMID: 37515842 DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2023.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human breast milk is the primary source of choline and choline-containing compounds for infants at early stages of life. Choline data across lactation in Chinese human milk were limited. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to quantify the five choline compounds in Chinese human breast milk and explore associated factors. METHODS A total of 540 lactating mothers from the MUAI (Maternal Nutrition and Infant Investigation) study were included. The content of water-soluble choline (free choline, phosphocholine, glycerophosphocholine) and lipid-soluble choline (phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin) in 892 human milk samples collected from 0 to 400 days postpartum were examined, and associated factors were explored. RESULTS Choline concentrations in human milk varied from postpartum day 0-400 (92.06 ± 65.22 to 171.01 ± 47.84 mg/L). Water-soluble choline was the major component (88.6%-93.8%) in human milk and ranged from 793.03 (659.22) to 1544.43 (443.32) μmol/L. Its trajectory followed that of total choline, increasing from colostrum to transitional milk and then declining in mature milk. In contrast, lipid-soluble choline accounted for 6.2%-11.4% over lactation and had an opposite trajectory. Choline composition varied by delivery mode and parity history. CONCLUSION The concentrations of individual choline and choline-containing compounds during lactation in Chinese human breast milk were described for the first time. Our results address gaps in extant Chinese human milk choline data and support tailored dietary reference intakes for Chinese lactating women and infants. Our data describes the level and profile of choline from 0 to 400 days postpartum in Chinese human breast milk. This is the most updated data on choline and also the first report of water-soluble choline as the predominant type in Chinese human milk. Our results compensate for the deficiencies in data on choline in Chinese human milk. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinical Trial Registry number: ChiCTR1800015387. Web link to study on registry: https://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Wu
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiu-Ye Lan
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fang Tian
- Abbott Nutrition Research & Development Center, Shanghai, Abbott Laboratories, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Xiao-Ying Xiong
- Abbott Nutrition Research & Development Center, Shanghai, Abbott Laboratories, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Meng-Tao Yang
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Si-Yu Huang
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Chen
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Matthew J Kuchan
- Abbott Nutrition Research & Development Center, Columbus, Abbott Laboratories, Ohio, 43219, USA
| | - Xiang Li
- Abbott Nutrition Research & Development Center, Shanghai, Abbott Laboratories, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Yan-Rong Zhao
- Abbott Nutrition Research & Development Center, Shanghai, Abbott Laboratories, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Ying-Yi Mao
- Abbott Nutrition Research & Development Center, Shanghai, Abbott Laboratories, Shanghai 200233, China.
| | - Hui-Lian Zhu
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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Redruello-Requejo M, Carretero-Krug A, Rodríguez-Alonso P, Samaniego-Vaesken ML, Partearroyo T, Varela-Moreiras G. Dietary Intake Adequacy and Food Sources of Nutrients Involved in the Methionine-Methylation Cycle in Women of Childbearing Age from the ANIBES Spanish Population. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13092958. [PMID: 34578836 PMCID: PMC8466001 DOI: 10.3390/nu13092958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence confirms choline as a critical perinatal nutrient. However, intake levels of choline and betaine among the Spanish fertile population remain unknown. Given their role in one-carbon metabolism with potential epigenetic effects, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the dietary intakes, their adequacy to existing guidelines and the main food sources together with other micronutrients involved in the methylation-methionine cycle (vitamin B6, folates and vitamin B12) in women of childbearing age. The ANIBES study, a cross-sectional study of a representative sample of women of childbearing age (18–45 years, n = 641) resident in Spain, was used. The sample was divided into younger women (18–30 years, n = 251) and older women (31–45 years, n = 390). Dietary intake was assessed by a three-day dietary record by using a tablet device. Total median intakes for the total sample were 303.9 mg/d for choline; 122.6 mg/d for betaine; 1.3 mg/d for vitamin B6; 140.8 μg/d for folates, and 3.8 μg/d for vitamin B12. The older subgroup showed significantly higher choline (p < 0.05), betaine (p < 0.001) and folates (p < 0.05) intakes than younger women. Main food sources for the whole sample were meat and meat products for choline (28.3%), vitamin B6 (25.7%) and vitamin B12 (22.8%); cereals and derivatives (79.9%) for betaine; vegetables (20.0%) for folates. Overall intake adequacy was only observed for vitamin B12, with a very limited number of participants showing adequate intakes for all the other micronutrients. These results illustrate there is a relevant need to raise awareness about optimizing the status of the methionine cycle-related vitamins and cofactors in this potentially vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Redruello-Requejo
- Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y de la Salud, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, Alcorcón, 28925 Madrid, Spain; (M.R.-R.); (A.C.-K.); (M.L.S.-V.); (T.P.)
- Grupo USP-CEU de Excelencia “Nutrición Para la Vida (Nutrition for Life)”, ref: E02/0720, Alcorcón, 28925 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandra Carretero-Krug
- Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y de la Salud, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, Alcorcón, 28925 Madrid, Spain; (M.R.-R.); (A.C.-K.); (M.L.S.-V.); (T.P.)
- Grupo USP-CEU de Excelencia “Nutrición Para la Vida (Nutrition for Life)”, ref: E02/0720, Alcorcón, 28925 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - María Lourdes Samaniego-Vaesken
- Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y de la Salud, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, Alcorcón, 28925 Madrid, Spain; (M.R.-R.); (A.C.-K.); (M.L.S.-V.); (T.P.)
- Grupo USP-CEU de Excelencia “Nutrición Para la Vida (Nutrition for Life)”, ref: E02/0720, Alcorcón, 28925 Madrid, Spain
| | - Teresa Partearroyo
- Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y de la Salud, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, Alcorcón, 28925 Madrid, Spain; (M.R.-R.); (A.C.-K.); (M.L.S.-V.); (T.P.)
- Grupo USP-CEU de Excelencia “Nutrición Para la Vida (Nutrition for Life)”, ref: E02/0720, Alcorcón, 28925 Madrid, Spain
| | - Gregorio Varela-Moreiras
- Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y de la Salud, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, Alcorcón, 28925 Madrid, Spain; (M.R.-R.); (A.C.-K.); (M.L.S.-V.); (T.P.)
- Grupo USP-CEU de Excelencia “Nutrición Para la Vida (Nutrition for Life)”, ref: E02/0720, Alcorcón, 28925 Madrid, Spain
- Fundación Española de la Nutrición, 28010 Madrid, Spain;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-91-372-47-26
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Tamkeen N, AlOmar SY, Alqahtani SAM, Al-Jurayyan A, Farooqui A, Tazyeen S, Ahmad N, Ishrat R. Identification of the Key Regulators of Spina Bifida Through Graph-Theoretical Approach. Front Genet 2021; 12:597983. [PMID: 33889172 PMCID: PMC8056047 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.597983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Spina Bifida (SB) is a congenital spinal cord malformation. Efforts to discern the key regulators (KRs) of the SB protein-protein interaction (PPI) network are requisite for developing its successful interventions. The architecture of the SB network, constructed from 117 manually curated genes was found to self-organize into a scale-free fractal state having a weak hierarchical organization. We identified three modules/motifs consisting of ten KRs, namely, TNIP1, TNF, TRAF1, TNRC6B, KMT2C, KMT2D, NCOA3, TRDMT1, DICER1, and HDAC1. These KRs serve as the backbone of the network, they propagate signals through the different hierarchical levels of the network to conserve the network’s stability while maintaining low popularity in the network. We also observed that the SB network exhibits a rich-club organization, the formation of which is attributed to our key regulators also except for TNIP1 and TRDMT1. The KRs that were found to ally with each other and emerge in the same motif, open up a new dimension of research of studying these KRs together. Owing to the multiple etiology and mechanisms of SB, a combination of several biomarkers is expected to have higher diagnostic accuracy for SB as compared to using a single biomarker. So, if all the KRs present in a single module/motif are targetted together, they can serve as biomarkers for the diagnosis of SB. Our study puts forward some novel SB-related genes that need further experimental validation to be considered as reliable future biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naaila Tamkeen
- Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India.,Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Suliman Yousef AlOmar
- Doping Research Chair, Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Abdullah Al-Jurayyan
- Immunology and HLA Section, Pathology and Clinical Laboratory Medicine, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Anam Farooqui
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Safia Tazyeen
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Nadeem Ahmad
- Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Romana Ishrat
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
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Chai ZX, Xin JW, Zhang CF, Dawayangla, Luosang, Zhang Q, Pingcuozhandui, Li C, Zhu Y, Cao HW, Wang H, Han JL, Ji QM, Zhong JC. Whole-genome resequencing provides insights into the evolution and divergence of the native domestic yaks of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. BMC Evol Biol 2020; 20:137. [PMID: 33109104 PMCID: PMC7590491 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-020-01702-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND On the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, known as the roof ridge of the world, the yak is a precious cattle species that has been indispensable to the human beings living in this high-altitude area. However, the origin of domestication, dispersal route, and the divergence of domestic yaks from different areas are poorly understood. RESULTS Here, we resequenced the genome of 91 domestic yak individuals from 31 populations and 1 wild yaks throughout China. Using a population genomics approach, we observed considerable genetic variation. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that the earliest domestications of yak occurred in the south-eastern QTP, followed by dispersal to the west QTP and northeast to SiChuang, Gansu, and Qinghai by two routes. Interestingly, we also found potential associations between the distribution of some breeds and historical trade routes such as the Silk Road and Tang-Tibet Ancient Road. Selective analysis identified 11 genes showing differentiation between domesticated and wild yaks and the potentially positively selected genes in each group were identified and compared among domesticated groups. We also detected an unbalanced pattern of introgression among domestic yak, wild yak, and Tibetan cattle. CONCLUSIONS Our research revealed population genetic evidence for three groups of domestic yaks. In addition to providing genomic evidence for the domestication history of yaks, we identified potential selected genes and introgression, which provide a theoretical basis and resources for the selective breeding of superior characters and high-quality yak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Xin Chai
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization, Sichuan Province and Ministry of Education, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jin-Wei Xin
- State Key Laboratory of Hulless Barley and Yak Germplasm Resources and Genetic Improvement, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Research, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa, China
| | - Cheng-Fu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Hulless Barley and Yak Germplasm Resources and Genetic Improvement, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Research, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa, China
| | - Dawayangla
- State Key Laboratory of Hulless Barley and Yak Germplasm Resources and Genetic Improvement, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Research, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa, China
| | - Luosang
- State Key Laboratory of Hulless Barley and Yak Germplasm Resources and Genetic Improvement, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Research, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Hulless Barley and Yak Germplasm Resources and Genetic Improvement, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Research, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa, China
| | - Pingcuozhandui
- State Key Laboratory of Hulless Barley and Yak Germplasm Resources and Genetic Improvement, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Research, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa, China
| | - Chao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Hulless Barley and Yak Germplasm Resources and Genetic Improvement, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Research, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa, China
| | - Yong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Hulless Barley and Yak Germplasm Resources and Genetic Improvement, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Research, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa, China
| | - Han-Wen Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Hulless Barley and Yak Germplasm Resources and Genetic Improvement, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Research, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization, Sichuan Province and Ministry of Education, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jian-Lin Han
- CAAS-ILRI Joint Laboratory on Livestock and Forage Genetic Resources, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, China
| | - Qiu-Mei Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Hulless Barley and Yak Germplasm Resources and Genetic Improvement, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Research, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa, China.
| | - Jin-Cheng Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization, Sichuan Province and Ministry of Education, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, China.
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Padula AM, Yang W, Schultz K, Lurmann F, Hammond SK, Shaw GM. Genetic variation in biotransformation enzymes, air pollution exposures, and risk of spina bifida. Am J Med Genet A 2019; 176:1055-1090. [PMID: 29681089 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.38661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Spina bifida is a birth defect characterized by incomplete closure of the embryonic neural tube. Genetic factors as well as environmental factors have been observed to influence risks for spina bifida. Few studies have investigated possible gene-environment interactions that could contribute to spina bifida risk. The aim of this study is to examine the interaction between gene variants in biotransformation enzyme pathways and ambient air pollution exposures and risk of spina bifida. We evaluated the role of air pollution exposure during pregnancy and gene variants of biotransformation enzymes from bloodspots and buccal cells in a California population-based case-control (86 cases of spina bifida and 208 non-malformed controls) study. We considered race/ethnicity and folic acid vitamin use as potential effect modifiers and adjusted for those factors and smoking. We observed gene-environment interactions between each of the five pollutants and several gene variants: NO (ABCC2), NO2 (ABCC2, SLC01B1), PM10 (ABCC2, CYP1A1, CYP2B6, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, NAT2, SLC01B1, SLC01B3), PM2.5 (CYP1A1 and CYP1A2). These analyses show positive interactions between air pollution exposure during early pregnancy and gene variants associated with metabolizing enzymes. These exploratory results suggest that some individuals based on their genetic background may be more susceptible to the adverse effects of pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy M Padula
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Wei Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | | | | | - S Katharine Hammond
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California
| | - Gary M Shaw
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
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Chmurzynska A, Seremak-Mrozikiewicz A, Malinowska AM, Różycka A, Radziejewska A, Szwengiel A, Kurzawińska G, Barlik M, Jagodziński PP, Drews K. PEMT rs12325817 and PCYT1A rs7639752 polymorphisms are associated with betaine but not choline concentrations in pregnant women. Nutr Res 2018; 56:61-70. [PMID: 30055775 DOI: 10.1016/j.nutres.2018.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Maternal metabolism during gestation may depend on nutrient intake but also on polymorphism of genes encoding enzymes involved in metabolism of different nutrients. Data on choline or carnitine metabolism in pregnant women are scarce. We hypothesized that (1) choline intake in Polish pregnant women is inadequate and (2) choline and carnitine metabolism would differ by genotype and nutritional status of pregnant women. One hundred three healthy Polish women aged 18 to 44 years in the third trimester of pregnancy were enrolled in the study. The average choline, folate, and carnitine intakes were 365 ± 14 mg/d, 1089 ± 859 μg, and 132 ± 8 mg/d, respectively. Most women did not achieve an adequate intake of choline. Average choline, betaine, trimethylamine oxide, l-carnitine, and acetylcarnitine concentrations were 10.64 ± 3.30 μmol/L, 14.43 ± 4.01 μmol/L, 2.01 ± 1.24 μmol/L, 12.73 ± 5.41 μmol/L, and 6.79 ± 3.82 μmol/L, respectively. Approximately 15% lower betaine concentrations were observed in the GG homozygotes of PEMT rs12325817 and in the GG homozygotes of PCYT1A rs7639752 than in the respective minor allele carriers. Birth weight was higher in the G allele homozygotes of the CHDH rs2289205 than in the minor allele carriers: GG: 3398 ± 64 g; GA+AA: 3193 ± 76 g. Our study shows that choline intake in Polish pregnant women is inadequate and that polymorphisms of PEMT rs12325817 and PCYT1A rs7639752 are associated with betaine but not choline concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Chmurzynska
- Institute of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Poznań University of Life Sciences.
| | - Agnieszka Seremak-Mrozikiewicz
- Division of Perinatology and Women's Diseases, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland; Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Division of Perinatology and Women's Diseases, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Anna M Malinowska
- Institute of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Poznań University of Life Sciences
| | - Agata Różycka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences
| | - Anna Radziejewska
- Institute of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Poznań University of Life Sciences
| | - Artur Szwengiel
- Institute of Food Technology of Plant Origin, Poznań University of Life Sciences
| | - Grażyna Kurzawińska
- Division of Perinatology and Women's Diseases, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland; Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Division of Perinatology and Women's Diseases, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Magdalena Barlik
- Division of Perinatology and Women's Diseases, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland; Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Division of Perinatology and Women's Diseases, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Paweł P Jagodziński
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences
| | - Krzysztof Drews
- Division of Perinatology and Women's Diseases, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland; Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Division of Perinatology and Women's Diseases, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
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7
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Holmes LB, Toufaily MH, Westgate MN. Iniencephaly. Birth Defects Res 2018; 110:128-133. [DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lewis B. Holmes
- Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine; Brigham and Women's Hospital; Boston Massachusetts
- Medical Genetics Unit; MassGeneral Hospital for Children; Boston Massachusetts
- Department of Pediatrics; Harvard Medical School; Boston Massachusetts
| | - M. Hassan Toufaily
- Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine; Brigham and Women's Hospital; Boston Massachusetts
- Medical Genetics Unit; MassGeneral Hospital for Children; Boston Massachusetts
| | - Marie-Noel Westgate
- Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine; Brigham and Women's Hospital; Boston Massachusetts
- Medical Genetics Unit; MassGeneral Hospital for Children; Boston Massachusetts
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Au KS, Findley TO, Northrup H. Finding the genetic mechanisms of folate deficiency and neural tube defects-Leaving no stone unturned. Am J Med Genet A 2017; 173:3042-3057. [PMID: 28944587 PMCID: PMC5650505 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.38478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Revised: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) occur secondary to failed closure of the neural tube between the third and fourth weeks of gestation. The worldwide incidence ranges from 0.3 to 200 per 10,000 births with the United States of American NTD incidence at around 3-6.3 per 10,000 dependent on race and socioeconomic background. Human NTD incidence has fallen by 35-50% in North America due to mandatory folic acid fortification of enriched cereal grain products since 1998. The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the folic acid fortification of corn masa flour with the goal to further reduce the incidence of NTDs, especially among individuals who are Hispanic. However, the genetic mechanisms determining who will benefit most from folate enrichment of the diet remains unclear despite volumes of literature published on studies of association of genes with functions related to folate metabolism and risk of human NTDs. The advances in omics technologies provides hypothesis-free tools to interrogate every single gene within the genome of NTD affected individuals to discover pathogenic variants and methylation targets throughout the affected genome. By identifying genes with expression regulated by presence of folate through transcriptome profiling studies, the genetic mechanisms leading to human NTDs due to folate deficiency may begin to be more efficiently revealed.
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Affiliation(s)
- KS Au
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Houston – McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX
| | - TO Findley
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Houston – McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX
| | - H Northrup
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Houston – McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX
- Shriners Hospitals for Children - Houston, Houston, TX
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Mohd-Zin SW, Marwan AI, Abou Chaar MK, Ahmad-Annuar A, Abdul-Aziz NM. Spina Bifida: Pathogenesis, Mechanisms, and Genes in Mice and Humans. SCIENTIFICA 2017; 2017:5364827. [PMID: 28286691 PMCID: PMC5327787 DOI: 10.1155/2017/5364827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Revised: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Spina bifida is among the phenotypes of the larger condition known as neural tube defects (NTDs). It is the most common central nervous system malformation compatible with life and the second leading cause of birth defects after congenital heart defects. In this review paper, we define spina bifida and discuss the phenotypes seen in humans as described by both surgeons and embryologists in order to compare and ultimately contrast it to the leading animal model, the mouse. Our understanding of spina bifida is currently limited to the observations we make in mouse models, which reflect complete or targeted knockouts of genes, which perturb the whole gene(s) without taking into account the issue of haploinsufficiency, which is most prominent in the human spina bifida condition. We thus conclude that the need to study spina bifida in all its forms, both aperta and occulta, is more indicative of the spina bifida in surviving humans and that the measure of deterioration arising from caudal neural tube defects, more commonly known as spina bifida, must be determined by the level of the lesion both in mouse and in man.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siti W. Mohd-Zin
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ahmed I. Marwan
- Laboratory for Fetal and Regenerative Biology, Colorado Fetal Care Center, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 E 17th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | | | - Azlina Ahmad-Annuar
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Noraishah M. Abdul-Aziz
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Bailey LB, Stover PJ, McNulty H, Fenech MF, Gregory JF, Mills JL, Pfeiffer CM, Fazili Z, Zhang M, Ueland PM, Molloy AM, Caudill MA, Shane B, Berry RJ, Bailey RL, Hausman DB, Raghavan R, Raiten DJ. Biomarkers of Nutrition for Development-Folate Review. J Nutr 2015; 145:1636S-1680S. [PMID: 26451605 PMCID: PMC4478945 DOI: 10.3945/jn.114.206599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 296] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2014] [Revised: 12/11/2014] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Biomarkers of Nutrition for Development (BOND) project is designed to provide evidence-based advice to anyone with an interest in the role of nutrition in health. Specifically, the BOND program provides state-of-the-art information and service with regard to selection, use, and interpretation of biomarkers of nutrient exposure, status, function, and effect. To accomplish this objective, expert panels are recruited to evaluate the literature and to draft comprehensive reports on the current state of the art with regard to specific nutrient biology and available biomarkers for assessing nutrients in body tissues at the individual and population level. Phase I of the BOND project includes the evaluation of biomarkers for 6 nutrients: iodine, iron, zinc, folate, vitamin A, and vitamin B-12. This review represents the second in the series of reviews and covers all relevant aspects of folate biology and biomarkers. The article is organized to provide the reader with a full appreciation of folate's history as a public health issue, its biology, and an overview of available biomarkers (serum folate, RBC folate, and plasma homocysteine concentrations) and their interpretation across a range of clinical and population-based uses. The article also includes a list of priority research needs for advancing the area of folate biomarkers related to nutritional health status and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn B Bailey
- Department of Foods and Nutrition, University of Georgia, Athens, GA;
| | - Patrick J Stover
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
| | - Helene McNulty
- Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, University of Ulster, Londonderry, United Kingdom
| | - Michael F Fenech
- Genome Health Nutrigenomics Laboratory, Food, Nutrition, and Bioproducts Flagship, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Jesse F Gregory
- Food Science and Human Nutrition Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - James L Mills
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | | | - Zia Fazili
- National Center for Environmental Health, CDC, Atlanta, GA
| | - Mindy Zhang
- National Center for Environmental Health, CDC, Atlanta, GA
| | - Per M Ueland
- Department of Clinical Science, Univeristy of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Anne M Molloy
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Marie A Caudill
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
| | - Barry Shane
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
| | - Robert J Berry
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, CDC, Atlanta, GA; and
| | | | - Dorothy B Hausman
- Department of Foods and Nutrition, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
| | - Ramkripa Raghavan
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - Daniel J Raiten
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD;
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da Costa KA, Corbin KD, Niculescu MD, Galanko JA, Zeisel SH. Identification of new genetic polymorphisms that alter the dietary requirement for choline and vary in their distribution across ethnic and racial groups. FASEB J 2014; 28:2970-8. [PMID: 24671709 DOI: 10.1096/fj.14-249557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Effect alleles (alleles with a polymorphism that is associated with the effect being measured) in a small number of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are known to influence the dietary requirement for choline. In this study, we examined a much larger number of SNPs (n=200) in 10 genes related to choline metabolism for associations with development of organ dysfunction (liver or muscle) when 79 humans were fed a low-choline diet. We confirmed that effect alleles in SNPs such as the C allele of PEMT rs12325817 increase the risk of developing organ dysfunction in women when they consume a diet low in choline, and we identified novel effect alleles, such as the C allele of CHKA SNP rs7928739, that alter dietary choline requirements. When fed a low-choline diet, some people presented with muscle damage rather than liver damage; several effect alleles in SLC44A1 (rs7873937, G allele; rs2771040, G; rs6479313, G; rs16924529, A; and rs3199966, C) and one in CHKB (rs1557502, A) were more common in these individuals. This suggests that pathways related to choline metabolism are more important for normal muscle function than previously thought. In European, Mexican, and Asian Americans, and in individuals of African descent, we examined the prevalence of the effect alleles in SNPs that alter choline requirement and found that they are differentially distributed among people of different ethnic and racial backgrounds. Overall, our study has identified novel genetic variants that modulate choline requirements and suggests that the dietary requirement for choline may be different across racial and ethnic groups.-Da Costa, K.-A., Corbin, K. D., Niculescu, M. D., Galanko, J. A., Zeisel, S. H. Identification of new genetic polymorphisms that alter the dietary requirement for choline and vary in their distribution across ethnic and racial groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry-Ann da Costa
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, School of Medicine, and
| | - Karen D Corbin
- Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA
| | - Mihai D Niculescu
- Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA
| | - Joseph A Galanko
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; and
| | - Steven H Zeisel
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, School of Medicine, and Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA
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Lavery AM, Brender JD, Zhao H, Sweeney A, Felkner M, Suarez L, Canfield MA. Dietary intake of choline and neural tube defects in Mexican Americans. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 100:463-71. [PMID: 24619903 DOI: 10.1002/bdra.23236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2013] [Revised: 02/07/2014] [Accepted: 02/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low maternal intake of dietary choline and betaine (a choline derivative) has recently been investigated as a possible risk factor for neural tube defects (NTDs). METHODS This case-control study examined the NTD risk associated with choline and betaine in 409 Mexican-American women who gave birth during 1995 to 2000 in the 14-county border region of Texas. RESULTS Using data from the food frequency questionnaire and the lowest quartiles of intake as the reference categories, a protective association was suggested between higher intakes of choline and betaine and NTD risk although the 95% confidence intervals for all risk estimates included 1.0. For choline intake in the second, third, and fourth quartiles, adjusted odds ratios were 1.2, 0.80, and 0.89, respectively. Betaine appeared more protective with odds ratios of 0.62, 0.73, and 0.61, respectively, for the second, third, and fourth quartiles of intake. CONCLUSION Study findings suggest that dietary betaine may help to prevent NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy M Lavery
- College of Health Professions and Social Work, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Texas A&M Health Science Center, School of Rural Public Health, College Station, Texas
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Imbard A, Benoist JF, Blom HJ. Neural tube defects, folic acid and methylation. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2013; 10:4352-89. [PMID: 24048206 PMCID: PMC3799525 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph10094352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2013] [Revised: 08/30/2013] [Accepted: 09/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are common complex congenital malformations resulting from failure of the neural tube closure during embryogenesis. It is established that folic acid supplementation decreases the prevalence of NTDs, which has led to national public health policies regarding folic acid. To date, animal studies have not provided sufficient information to establish the metabolic and/or genomic mechanism(s) underlying human folic acid responsiveness in NTDs. However, several lines of evidence suggest that not only folates but also choline, B12 and methylation metabolisms are involved in NTDs. Decreased B12 vitamin and increased total choline or homocysteine in maternal blood have been shown to be associated with increased NTDs risk. Several polymorphisms of genes involved in these pathways have also been implicated in risk of development of NTDs. This raises the question whether supplementation with B12 vitamin, betaine or other methylation donors in addition to folic acid periconceptional supplementation will further reduce NTD risk. The objective of this article is to review the role of methylation metabolism in the onset of neural tube defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apolline Imbard
- Biochemistry-Hormonology Laboratory, Robert Debré Hospital, APHP, 48 bd Serrurier, Paris 75019, France; E-Mail:
- Metabolic Unit, Department of Clinical Chemistry, VU Free University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam 1081 HV, The Netherlands; E-Mail:
| | - Jean-François Benoist
- Biochemistry-Hormonology Laboratory, Robert Debré Hospital, APHP, 48 bd Serrurier, Paris 75019, France; E-Mail:
| | - Henk J. Blom
- Metabolic Unit, Department of Clinical Chemistry, VU Free University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam 1081 HV, The Netherlands; E-Mail:
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Park MS, Kim SK, Shin HP, Lee SM, Chung JH. Association of CHKA polymorphism (rs3794186) with α-fetoprotein levels in hepatocellular carcinoma. Mol Med Rep 2012; 6:1371-4. [PMID: 22972156 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2012.1081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2012] [Accepted: 09/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Choline kinase α (CHKA) has been identified to be associated with cancer development and progression. In this study, we investigated whether exonic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the CHKA gene are associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Among all SNPs in the 3'-untranslated region (UTR), 5'-UTR and the coding region of CHA, only two SNPs (rs3794186 and rs11481) in the 3'-UTR had a heterozygosity above 0.1 and a minor allele frequency above 0.1. Therefore, we selected and assessed these two SNPs (rs3794186 and rs11481) in 189 HCC patients and 194 controls. Genetic data were analyzed using the SNPAnalyzer Pro, SNPStats and Haploview programs. No SNPs of the CHKA gene were found to be associated with the risk of HCC development. Upon analysis of the clinical characteristics of HCC, the genotypic frequency of rs3794186 was significantly associated with serum α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels (P=0.022 in the co-dominant 1 model, P=0.0045 in the dominant model and P=0.0052 in the log-additive model). A significant difference in the allelic frequency of rs3794186 was also observed between the high AFP (>200 ng/ml) group and the low AFP (≤200 ng/ml) group [P=0.009, odds ratio (OR) = 0.33, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.14-0.75]. The T allele frequency of rs3794186 was lower in the high AFP group (6.6%) compared to that in the low AFP group (17.8%). Our results suggest that CHKA SNPs (rs3794186 and rs11481) are not associated with HCC development; however, rs3794186 may correlate with serum AFP levels in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Su Park
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea
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16
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Blusztajn JK, Mellott TJ. Choline nutrition programs brain development via DNA and histone methylation. Cent Nerv Syst Agents Med Chem 2012; 12:82-94. [PMID: 22483275 PMCID: PMC5612430 DOI: 10.2174/187152412800792706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2011] [Revised: 12/05/2011] [Accepted: 12/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Choline is an essential nutrient for humans. Metabolically choline is used for the synthesis of membrane phospholipids (e.g. phosphatidylcholine), as a precursor of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, and, following oxidation to betaine, choline functions as a methyl group donor in a pathway that produces S-adenosylmethionine. As a methyl donor choline influences DNA and histone methylation--two central epigenomic processes that regulate gene expression. Because the fetus and neonate have high demands for choline, its dietary intake during pregnancy and lactation is particularly important for normal development of the offspring. Studies in rodents have shown that high choline intake during gestation improves cognitive function in adulthood and prevents memory decline associated with old age. These behavioral changes are accompanied by electrophysiological, neuroanatomical, and neurochemical changes and by altered patterns of expression of multiple cortical and hippocampal genes including those encoding key proteins that contribute to the biochemical mechanisms of learning and memory. These actions of choline are observed long after the exposure to the nutrient ended (months) and correlate with fetal hepatic and cerebral cortical choline-evoked changes in global- and gene-specific DNA cytosine methylation and with dramatic changes of the methylation pattern of lysine residues 4, 9 and 27 of histone H3. Moreover, gestational choline modulates the expression of DNA (Dnmt1, Dnmt3a) and histone (G9a/Ehmt2/Kmt1c, Suv39h1/Kmt1a) methyltransferases. In addition to the central role of DNA and histone methylation in brain development, these processes are highly dynamic in adult brain, modulate the expression of genes critical for synaptic plasticity, and are involved in mechanisms of learning and memory. A recent study documented that in a cohort of normal elderly people, verbal and visual memory function correlated positively with the amount of dietary choline consumption. It will be important to determine if these actions of choline on human cognition are mediated by epigenomic mechanisms or by its influence on acetylcholine or phospholipid synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Krzysztof Blusztajn
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, L808, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
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Rogers SW, Tvrdik P, Capecchi MR, Gahring LC. Prenatal ablation of nicotinic receptor alpha7 cell lineages produces lumbosacral spina bifida the severity of which is modified by choline and nicotine exposure. Am J Med Genet A 2012; 158A:1135-44. [PMID: 22473653 PMCID: PMC3415211 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.35372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2012] [Accepted: 02/26/2012] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Lumbosacral spina bifida is a common debilitating birth defect whose multiple causes are poorly understood. Here, we provide the first genetic delineation of cholinergic nicotinic receptor alpha7 (Chrna7) expression and link the ablation of the Chrna7 cell lineage to this condition in the mouse. Using homologous recombination, an IRES-Cre bi-cistronic cassette was introduced into the 3′ noncoding region of Chrna7 (Chrna7:Cre) for identifying cell lineages expressing this gene. This lineage first appears at embryonic day E9.0 in rhombomeres 3 and 5 of the neural tube and extends to cell subsets in most tissues by E14.5. Ablation of the Chrna7:Cre cell lineage in embryos from crosses with conditionally expressed attenuated diphtheria toxin results in precise developmental defects including omphalocele (89%) and open spina bifida (SB; 80%). We hypothesized that like humans, this defect would be modified by environmental compounds not only folic acid or choline but also nicotine. Prenatal chronic oral nicotine administration substantially worsened the defect to often include the rostral neural tube. In contrast, supplementation of the maternal diet with 2% choline decreased SB prevalence to 38% and dramatically reduced the defect severity. Folic acid supplementation only trended towards a reduced SB frequency. The omphalocele was unaffected by these interventions. These studies identify the Chrna7 cell lineage as participating in posterior neuropore closure and present a novel model of lower SB that can be substantially modified by the prenatal environment. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott W Rogers
- Salt Lake City VA Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
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Caudill MA. Pre- and postnatal health: evidence of increased choline needs. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 110:1198-206. [PMID: 20656095 DOI: 10.1016/j.jada.2010.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2009] [Accepted: 03/01/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Choline, a micronutrient found in food, serves as the starting material for several important metabolites that play key roles in fetal development, particularly the brain. Although human beings' requirement for choline is unknown, an Adequate Intake level of 425 mg/day was established for women with upward adjustments to 450 and 550 mg/day during pregnancy and lactation, respectively. The importance of choline in human development is supported by observations that a human fetus receives a large supply of choline during gestation; pregnancy causes depletion of hepatic choline pools in rats consuming a normal diet; human neonates are born with blood levels that are three times higher than maternal blood concentrations; and large amounts of choline are present in human milk. The development of the central nervous system is particularly sensitive to choline availability with evidence of effects on neural tube closure and cognition. Existing data show that the majority of pregnant (and presumably lactating) women are not achieving the target intake levels and that certain common genetic variants may increase requirements for choline beyond current recommendations. Because choline is not found in most varieties of prenatal vitamins (or regular multivitamins), increased consumption of choline-rich foods may be needed to meet the high pre- and postnatal demands for choline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie A Caudill
- Cornell University, Division of Nutritional Sciences, 228 Savage Hall, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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Au KS, Ashley-Koch A, Northrup H. Epidemiologic and genetic aspects of spina bifida and other neural tube defects. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 16:6-15. [PMID: 20419766 DOI: 10.1002/ddrr.93] [Citation(s) in RCA: 187] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The worldwide incidence of neural tube defects (NTDs) ranges from 1.0 to 10.0 per 1,000 births with almost equal frequencies between two major categories: anencephaly and spina bifida (SB). Epidemiological studies have provided valuable insight for (a) researchers to identify nongenetic and genetic factors contributing to etiology, (b) public health officials to design and implement policies to prevent NTD pregnancies, and (c) individuals to take precautions to reduce the chance of having an NTD-affected pregnancy. Despite extensive research, our knowledge of the genetic etiology of human NTDs is limited. Although more than 200 small animal models with NTDs exist, most of these models do not replicate the human disease phenotype. Over a hundred candidate genes have been examined for risk association to human SB. The candidate genes studied include those important in folic acid metabolism, glucose metabolism, retinoid metabolism, and apoptosis. Many genes that regulate transcription in early embryogenesis and maintain planar cell polarity have also been tested as candidates. Additionally, genes identified through mouse models of NTDs have been explored as candidates. We do not know how many genes in the human genome may confer risk for NTDs in human. Less than 20% of the studied candidate genes have been determined to confer even a minor effect on risk association. Many studies have provided conflicting conclusions due to limitations in study design that potentially affect the power of statistical analysis. Future directions such as genomewide association studies (GWAS) and whole exome or even whole genome sequencing are discussed as possible avenues to identify genes that affect risk for human NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kit Sing Au
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas, Medical School at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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Chan J, Deng L, Mikael LG, Yan J, Pickell L, Wu Q, Caudill MA, Rozen R. Low dietary choline and low dietary riboflavin during pregnancy influence reproductive outcomes and heart development in mice. Am J Clin Nutr 2010; 91:1035-43. [PMID: 20164309 DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.2009.28754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Embryonic development may be compromised by dietary and genetic disruptions in folate metabolism because of the critical role of folate in homocysteine metabolism, methylation, and nucleotide synthesis. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), choline, and riboflavin play distinct roles in homocysteine detoxification and generation of one-carbon donors for methylation. The effect of low dietary choline and riboflavin on pregnancy complications and heart development has not been adequately addressed. OBJECTIVE Our goal was to determine whether dietary deficiencies of choline and riboflavin in pregnant mice, with and without mild MTHFR deficiency, affect embryonic development. DESIGN Female Mthfr(+/+) and Mthfr(+/-) mice were fed a control diet (CD), a choline-deficient diet (ChDD), or a riboflavin-deficient diet (RbDD) and were then mated with male Mthfr(+/-) mice. Embryos were collected 14.5 d postcoitum and examined for reproductive outcomes and cardiac defects. RESULTS Plasma homocysteine was higher in ChDD- than in CD-fed females. Liver MTHFR enzyme activity was greater in ChDD-fed Mthfr(+/+) than in CD-fed Mthfr(+/+) females. The RbDD resulted in a higher percentage of delayed embryos and smaller embryos than did the CD. There were more heart defects, which were all ventricular septal defects, in embryos from the ChDD- and RbDD-fed females than from the CD-fed females. Dietary riboflavin and MTHFR deficiency resulted in decreased left ventricular wall thickness in embryonic hearts compared with embryos from CD-fed Mthfr(+/+) females. CONCLUSIONS Low dietary choline and riboflavin affect embryonic growth and cardiac development in mice. Adequate choline and riboflavin may also play a role in the prevention of these pregnancy complications in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Chan
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal Children's Hospital Research Institute, Montreal, Canada
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Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are common, severe congenital malformations whose causation involves multiple genes and environmental factors. Although more than 200 genes are known to cause NTDs in mice, there has been rather limited progress in delineating the molecular basis underlying most human NTDs. Numerous genetic studies have been carried out to investigate candidate genes in cohorts of patients, with particular reference to those that participate in folate one-carbon metabolism. Although the homocysteine remethylation gene MTHFR has emerged as a risk factor in some human populations, few other consistent findings have resulted from this approach. Similarly, attention focused on the human homologues of mouse NTD genes has contributed only limited positive findings to date, although an emerging association between genes of the non-canonical Wnt (planar cell polarity) pathway and NTDs provides candidates for future studies. Priorities for the next phase of this research include: (i) larger studies that are sufficiently powered to detect significant associations with relatively minor risk factors; (ii) analysis of multiple candidate genes in groups of well-genotyped individuals to detect possible gene-gene interactions; (iii) use of high throughput genomic technology to evaluate the role of copy number variants and to detect 'private' and regulatory mutations, neither of which have been studied to date; (iv) detailed analysis of patient samples stratified by phenotype to enable, for example, hypothesis-driven testing of candidates genes in groups of NTDs with specific defects of folate metabolism, or in groups of fetuses with well-defined phenotypes such as craniorachischisis.
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Zhu H, Kartiko S, Finnell RH. Importance of gene-environment interactions in the etiology of selected birth defects. Clin Genet 2009; 75:409-23. [PMID: 19459879 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.2009.01174.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
It is generally understood that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the highly complex etiology of structural birth defects, including neural tube defects, oral clefts and congenital heart defects, by disrupting highly regulated embryonic developmental processes. The intrauterine environment of the developing embryo/fetus is determined by maternal factors such as health/disease status, lifestyle, medication, exposure to environmental teratogens, as well as the maternal genotype. Certain genetic characteristics of the embryo/fetus also predispose it to developmental abnormalities. Epidemiologic and animal studies conducted over the last few decades have suggested that the interplay between genes and environmental factors underlies the etiological heterogeneity of these defects. It is now widely believed that the study of gene-environment interactions will lead to better understanding of the biological mechanisms and pathological processes that contribute to the development of complex birth defects. It is only through such an understanding that more efficient measures will be developed to prevent these severe, costly and often deadly defects. In this review, we attempt to summarize the complex clinical and experimental literature on current hypotheses of interactions between several select environmental factors and those genetic pathways in which they are most likely to have significant modifying effects. These include maternal folate nutritional status, maternal diabetes/obesity-related conditions, and maternal exposure to selected medications and environmental contaminants. Our goal is to highlight the potential gene-environment interactions affecting early embryogenesis that deserve comprehensive study.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Zhu
- Center for Environmental and Genetic Medicine, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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Franke B, Vermeulen SHHM, Steegers-Theunissen RPM, Coenen MJ, Schijvenaars MMVAP, Scheffer H, den Heijer M, Blom HJ. An association study of 45 folate-related genes in spina bifida: Involvement of cubilin (CUBN) and tRNA aspartic acid methyltransferase 1 (TRDMT1). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 85:216-26. [PMID: 19161160 DOI: 10.1002/bdra.20556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spina bifida is a class of neural tube defects, which are congenital malformations of the central nervous system with a prevalence of 0.5 to 12 per 1000 births globally. In this article we attempt to identify genes related to folate and its metabolic pathways that are involved in the etiology of spina bifida. METHODS We selected 50 folate metabolism-related genes and genotyped polymorphisms in those genes. Eighty-seven polymorphisms in 45 genes passed quality controls. Associations with spina bifida were investigated in 180 patients and 190 controls. For those polymorphisms that were nominally associated with spina bifida risk, the relation with serum and red blood cell folate, vitamin B(12), and homocysteine was evaluated in controls. RESULTS A polymorphism in CUBN was significantly associated with decreased spina bifida risk, after correction for multiple testing, and was related to increased vitamin B(12) (p = 0.039) and red blood cell folate (p = 0.001). The CUBN gene encodes the intrinsic factor-cobalamin receptor (or cubilin), a peripheral membrane protein that acts as a receptor for intrinsic factor-vitamin B(12) complexes. Vitamin B(12) is an important cofactor in the folate metabolism, and low B(12) status in mothers has been linked to neural tube defects in children. Other interesting findings include nominally significant associations with polymorphisms in TRDMT1, ALDH1L1, SARDH, and SLCA19A1 (RFC1). CONCLUSION Our study indicates interesting new candidate genes and functional pathways for further study and confirms earlier findings. None of the genes CUBN, TRDMT1, ALDH1L1, or SARDH have been investigated previously for association with spina bifida.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Franke
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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