title: [Demethylation in the promoter region of MTHFR gene and its mRNA expression in cultured human vascular smooth muscle cells induced by homocysteine].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of homocysteine (Hey) on the methylation modification of 5, 10- methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase(MTHFR) gene promoter and its mRNA expression in cultured human vascular smooth muscle cells (HVSMCs).
  
  
  METHODS
  HVSMCs from umbulical arteries were isolated and cultured in DMEM/F12 medium, which clinic-relevant and very high homocysteine concentrations (0,30,100,200,500 and 1000 micromol/L) were added for 72h treatment. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction(MS-PCR) was performed to catalyze the methylation pattern of the MTHFR promoter region, semiquantitative RT-PCR was used to detect the MTHFR mRNA expression after Hcy treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The homocysteine induced demethylation in the promoter region of MTHFR gene at all concentrations of Hcy, the methylation pattern in MTHFR gene displayed significant hypomethylation and the MTHFR mRNA expression demonstrated obvious upregulation as well.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The homocysteine could induce demethylation in the promoter region of MTHFR gene in HVSMCs and upregulate the MTHFR mRNA expression.
authors: West China College of Preclinic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China. wanglizhen1979@163.com
authors: Lizhen
authors: L
authors: Wang
authors: Jingge
authors: J
authors: Zhang
authors: Shuren
authors: S
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008745:Methylation; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D006710:Homocysteine; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)