Thymidylate synthase promoter tandem repeat and MTHFD1 R653Q polymorphisms modulate the risk for migraine conferred by the MTHFR T677 allele

Brain Res Mol Brain Res. 2005 Sep 13;139(1):163-8. doi: 10.1016/j.molbrainres.2005.05.015.

Abstract

There is growing evidence that folate metabolism is involved in migraine pathophysiology, mainly in migraine with aura. Even though folate metabolism is regulated by a number of enzymes, only two functional polymorphisms have been tested in association studies with migraine. Here, we have explored the possible role in migraine of other folate-metabolizing enzymes which are in close interdependency with 5',10'-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase analyzing functional polymorphisms of these enzymes in a case-control study. Individually, thymidylate synthase (TS), methenyltetrahydrofolate cyclohydrolase formyltetrahydrofolate synthase (MTHFD1), or methionine synthase (MS) polymorphisms did not modify the general risk for suffering migraine. Nevertheless, we observed a strong interaction between TS and MTHFR mutated genotypes, which increased over 8-fold the risk for experiencing aura among migraineurs; MTHFD1 and MTHFR mutated genotypes also increased together the risk for migraine in general (OR = 3.08; 95% CI = 1.3-7.4). We conclude that the pathogenetic role of the MTHFR T677 allele in migraine is modulated by functional polymorphisms of TS and MTHFD1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Folic Acid / metabolism
  • Formate-Tetrahydrofolate Ligase / genetics
  • Formate-Tetrahydrofolate Ligase / metabolism
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Humans
  • Methenyltetrahydrofolate Cyclohydrolase / genetics
  • Methenyltetrahydrofolate Cyclohydrolase / metabolism
  • Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / genetics
  • Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / metabolism
  • Middle Aged
  • Migraine Disorders / genetics*
  • Migraine Disorders / physiopathology
  • Polymorphism, Genetic*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic*
  • Risk Factors
  • Tandem Repeat Sequences*
  • Thymidylate Synthase / genetics*
  • Thymidylate Synthase / metabolism

Substances

  • Folic Acid
  • Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)
  • Thymidylate Synthase
  • Methenyltetrahydrofolate Cyclohydrolase
  • Formate-Tetrahydrofolate Ligase