title: Preliminary evidence for involvement of the folate gene polymorphism 19bp deletion-DHFR in occurrence of autism.
abstract: Folate has long been implicated in both the metabolism of neurotransmitter molecules, and as an agonist with a direct effect upon neuronal tissue. Folates mediate transfer of one-carbon units into major biosynthetic pathways. From a developmental perspective, the most important reactions are de novo methionine and thymine synthesis, critical for DNA expression and elaboration, respectively. Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) is the sole enzyme responsible for maintaining the reduced state of the vitamin needed for these two pathways. Here, we report that the 19bp-deletion polymorphism of DHFR acts independently (OR 2.69, 95% CI; 1.00-7.28, p<0.05) and in concert with related folate polymorphisms as a significant risk factor for autism. Possible consequences of this are discussed in the context of the interaction between folate and the glutamatergic nervous system, an area of promising candidate genes for contributing to autism.
authors.affiliation: School of Environmental & Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, PO Box 127, Brush Rd., Ourimbah, NSW 2258, Australia.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lucock
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stuart
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fardell
authors.forename: Kerrie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Xiaowei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ng
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D017353:Gene Deletion; D005787:Gene Frequency; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000502:physiology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013762:Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase / Q000235:genetics*; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005492:Folic Acid; D013762:Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase; D014805:Vitamin B 12