Genetic and epigenetic regulation of BHMT is associated with folate therapy efficacy in hyperhomocysteinaemia.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVES

Hyperhomocysteinaemia (HHcy) is an independent risk factors for several disorders, including cardiovascular disease. The understanding of the relationship among genetic, epigenetic and the efficacy of folate therapy for HHcy remain unclear. This study aim to investigate whether betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and DNA methylation are related to the efficacy of folate therapy for HHcy and whether BHMT DNA methylation mediates the SNP-folate therapy efficacy association.

METHODS AND STUDY

DESIGN

A total of 638 patients with HHcy were involved in this prospective cohort study. Logistic and linear regression was used to explore associations among SNPs, DNA methylation, and folate therapy efficacy. Finally, mediation analysis was performed to investigate whether DNA methylation of BHMT mediates the association between SNPs and folate therapy efficacy.

RESULTS

BHMT rs3733890 was significantly associated with folate therapy efficacy (p<0.05). BHMT and BHMT_1 DNA methylation level was significantly associated with folate therapy efficacy (p=0.017 and p=0.028). DNA methylation of BHMT and BHMT_1 mediated 34.84% and 33.06% of the effect of rs3733890 on folate therapy efficacy, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

There has a consistent interrelationship among BHMT genetic variants, methylation levels of BHMT, and folate therapy efficacy. BHMT and BHMT_1 DNA methylation proportionally mediated the effects of rs3733890 SNPs on the efficacy of folate therapy for HHcy.