title: Polymorphisms of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (C677T and A1298C) in the placenta of pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Preeclampsia has been related to single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene; however, data regarding the placenta are still lacking.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the frequency of C677T and A1298C SNPs of the MTHFR gene in the placenta of preeclamptic pregnancies and healthy controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Genotyping of C677T and A1298C polymorphisms of the MTHFR gene using RFLP-PCR was performed to the placenta of 100 gestations (n = 50 complicated with preeclampsia and n = 50 normal controls matched for parity and maternal age).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Gestational age at birth and neonatal and placental weight were significantly lower in women with preeclampsia as compared to controls. The TT genotype of the C677T polymorphism was threefold more prevalent in preeclamptic placentas as compared to the placenta of controls (24.0% versus 8.0%, p = 0.001). Upon pooled analysis (n = 100), placental and neonatal weights were significantly lower in placentas displaying this genotype (TT, C677T) as compared with the CC genotype.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study found that the frequency of the TT mutant genotype of the C677T polymorphism was higher in the placenta of pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia. There is a need for further research in this matter.
authors.affiliation: a Enrique C. Sotomayor Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital , Guayaquil , Ecuador .
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chedraui
authors.forename: Mariela E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.forename: Danny
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Salazar-Pousada
authors.forename: Gustavo S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Escobar
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hidalgo
authors.forename: Cecibel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ramirez
authors.forename: Marc E A
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Spaanderman
authors.forename: Boris W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.forename: Antonio W D
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Gavilanes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006801:Humans; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000235:genetics*; D009154:Mutation; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000235:genetics*; D011247:Pregnancy; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C573423:MTHFR protein, human; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)
keywords: Genetics; homocysteine; placenta; polymorphisms; preeclampsia; pregnancy