Embryonic development of folate binding protein-1 (Folbp1) knockout mice: Effects of the chemical form, dose, and timing of maternal folate supplementation.
Inactivation of folate binding protein-1 (Folbp1) adversely impacts murine embryonic development, as nullizygous embryos (Folbp1(-/-)) die in utero. Administration of folinic acid (N5-formyl-tetrahydrofolate) to Folbp1-deficient dams before and throughout gestation rescues the majority of embryos from premature death; however, a portion of surviving embryos develop structural malformations, including neural tube defects. We examined whether maternal supplementation with L-N5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate (L-5M-THF) has superior protective effects on embryonic development of Folbp1(-/-) fetuses compared with L-N5-formyl-tetrahydrofolate (L-5F-THF). We also examined the critical period during gestation when folate supplementation is most beneficial to the developing Folbp1(-/-) embryos. Folbp1(-/-) pups presented with a range of malformations involving the neural tube, craniofacies, eyes, and abdominal wall. The frequencies of these malformations decreased with increasing folate dose, regardless of the form used. There was no additional benefit provided by L-5M-THF compared with L-5F-THF. Despite rescuing the phenotype in Folbp1(-/-) embryos, no significant elevation of Folbp1(-/-) maternal folate levels was observed with supplementation.
Spiegelstein
Ofer
O
Center for Environmental and Genetic Medicine, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, Houston, Texas.
Mitchell
Laura E
LE
Merriweather
Michelle Y
MY
Wicker
Ned J
NJ
Zhang
Qiang
Q
Lammer
Edward J
EJ
Finnell
Richard H
RH
D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D058973:Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D010641:Phenotype; D011247:Pregnancy; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015996:Survival Rate
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D058973:Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D002955:Leucovorin