The effect of 677C → T and 1298A → C mutations on plasma homocysteine and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase activity in healthy subjects

We have studied the effect of common mutations (677C --> T and 1298A --> C) of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene in sixty-six healthy French subjects, aged 27-47 years. Serum folate, vitamin B-12, and plasma total homocysteine were measured as well as the specific activity of MTHFR in lymphocytes. The frequency of subjects homozygous for the 677TT genotype was 18 %, and that of those homozygous for the 1298CC genotype was 12.5 %. The frequency of individuals heterozygous for both mutations was 23.5 %. The 1298A --> C mutation was associated with decreased MTHFR specific activity in subjects with both 677CC and 677CT genotypes. This activity was 60 % for the 677CC/1298AC genotype and 52 % for the 677CC/1298CC genotype when compared with the MTHFR specific activity of the 677CC/1298AA genotype. Heterozygotes for both mutations (677CT/1298AC genotype) had 36 % of the reference specific activity. Although homocysteine levels in 677TT and 1298CC genotype subjects were higher than for other genotypes, no significant differences were observed among different genotypes. This may be due to high serum folate level in our samples, and suggests that folate therapy may be useful to prevent hyperhomocysteinaemia in homozygous mutant subjects.