title: The importance of MTHFR, MTR, MTRR and CSE expression levels in Caucasian women with preeclampsia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Preeclampsia (PE) is a major cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. The studies suggest that both polymorphisms and changes of expression in genes encoding enzymes involved in the methionine and homocysteine metabolism (MHM), such as methylenetetrahydrofolate, reductase (MTHFR), methionine synthase (MTR), methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) and cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE), could play a role in the development of hypertension during pregnancy. The aim of the study was to determine the expression level of MTHFR, MTR, MTRR and CSE genes in the development of PE in Caucasian women.
  
  
  METHODS
  The control group consisted of 74 healthy pregnant women and 90 patients with diagnosed pre-eclampsia. Total RNA was isolated from placenta and the mRNA level of examined genes was to determine using real-time PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The expression level of MTHFR gene showed no statistically significant difference in the study group as compared to the control group. An increase of mRNA levels for MTR and CTH was observed by 124.7% (p<0.0001) and 26.6% (p>0.05), respectively. However, a decrease of placental expression was noted for MTRR by 50% in preeclamptic women as compared to control group (p<0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that the elevated RNA expression of MTR in placenta of preeclamptic patients is probably results of a potential compensation mechanism of the MHM while elevated CSE expression indicates that homocysteine may be eliminated through the alternate transsulfuration pathway.
authors: Division of Perinatology and Women's Diseases, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland; Department of Pharmacology and Phytochemistry, Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants, Poznan, Poland; Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Division of Perinatology and Women's Diseases, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
authors: Agnieszka
authors: A
authors: Seremak-Mrozikiewicz
authors: Department of Pharmacology and Phytochemistry, Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants, Poznan, Poland; Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacogenetics, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biopharmacy, University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland. Electronic address: aniabogacz23@o2.pl.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Bogacz
authors: Department of Pharmacology and Phytochemistry, Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants, Poznan, Poland; Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacogenetics, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biopharmacy, University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
authors: Joanna
authors: J
authors: Bartkowiak-Wieczorek
authors: Division of Perinatology and Women's Diseases, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland; Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Podhale Multidisciplinary Hospital, Nowy Targ, Poland.
authors: Hubert
authors: H
authors: Wolski
authors: Department of General Pharmacology and Pharmacoeconomics, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland; Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants, Poznan, Poland.
authors: Boguslaw
authors: B
authors: Czerny
authors: Department of Pharmacology and Phytochemistry, Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants, Poznan, Poland.
authors: Malgorzata
authors: M
authors: Gorska-Paukszta
authors: Division of Perinatology and Women's Diseases, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland; Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Division of Perinatology and Women's Diseases, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
authors: Krzysztof
authors: K
authors: Drews
mesh_terms: D013766:5-Methyltetrahydrofolate-Homocysteine S-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003542:Cystathionine gamma-Lyase / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005287:Ferredoxin-NADP Reductase / Q000235:genetics*; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000235:genetics*; D010920:Placenta / Q000737:chemistry; D011044:Poland; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; C111241:methionine synthase reductase; D005287:Ferredoxin-NADP Reductase; C573423:MTHFR protein, human; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); D013766:5-Methyltetrahydrofolate-Homocysteine S-Methyltransferase; C585801:MTR protein, human; D003542:Cystathionine gamma-Lyase
keywords: Gene expression; Methionine and homocysteine metabolism; Preeclampsia