Clinical genetics of functionally mild non-coding GTP cyclohydrolase 1 (GCH1) polymorphisms modulating pain and cardiovascular risk

Mutat Res. 2008 Sep-Oct;659(3):195-201. doi: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2008.04.007. Epub 2008 Apr 26.

Abstract

Guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase 1 (GCH1) is the first enzyme in the tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) biosynthesis, an important co-factor for the formation of nitric oxide, biogenic amines and serotonin. Hereditary diseases such as DOPA-responsive dystonia and atypical phenylketonuria are known to be caused by coding or splice-site mutations in the GCH1 gene, leading mostly to a dominant negative enzyme. However, recent evidence suggests a clinical genetics of GCH1 beyond these hereditary loss-of-function diseases. That is, a non-coding GCH1 haplotype has been associated with reduced pain hypersensitivity and with altered vascular endothelial function. Moreover, the presence of the non-coding c.*243C>T variant in the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of the GCH1 gene has been associated with mildly increased heart rate and blood pressure. Here, we show that carriers of the pain-protective GCH1 haplotype also carry the c.*243C>T variant and vice versa. We thus demonstrate that apart from the coding or splice-site variants causing DOPA-responsive dystonia and atypical phenylketonuria, there is a common clinically relevant GCH1 genetics that is so far known to be related to unfavorable changes of endothelial function and a reduced risk for chronic pain.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / genetics*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiopathology
  • GTP Cyclohydrolase / genetics*
  • Heterozygote
  • Humans
  • Pain / genetics*
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*
  • Risk

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • GTP Cyclohydrolase