methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase
Last updated 8 May 2023
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The MTHFR gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. This enzyme plays a role in processing amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase is important for a chemical reaction involving the vitamin folate (also called vitamin B9). Specifically, this enzyme converts a form of folate called 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate to a different form of folate called 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. This is the primary form of folate found in blood, and is necessary for the multistep process that converts the amino acid homocysteine to another amino acid, methionine. The body uses methionine to make proteins and other important compounds.
Normal function
The MTHFR gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. This enzyme plays a role in processing amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase is important for a chemical reaction involving the vitamin folate (also called vitamin B9). Specifically, this enzyme converts a form of folate called 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate to a different form of folate called 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. This is the primary form of folate found in blood, and is necessary for the multistep process that converts the amino acid homocysteine to another amino acid, methionine. The body uses methionine to make proteins and other important compounds.
Conditions referring to this gene or chromosome
Other names
5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase
5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (NADPH)
methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (NAD(P)H)
MTHR_HUMAN
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Further reading and references
- methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase; MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 197 Summary: Inherited Thrombophilias in Pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 2018 Jul;132(1):249-251. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000002705.
- Bhargava S, Ali A, Parakh R, Saxena R, Srivastava LM. Higher incidence of C677T polymorphism of the MTHFR gene in North Indian patients with vascular disease. Vascular. 2012 Apr;20(2):88-95. doi: 10.1258/vasc.2011.oa0320. Epub 2012 Feb 28.
- Botto LD, Yang Q. 5,10-Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene variants and congenital anomalies: a HuGE review. Am J Epidemiol. 2000 May 1;151(9):862-77. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a010290.
- Hickey SE, Curry CJ, Toriello HV. ACMG Practice Guideline: lack of evidence for MTHFR polymorphism testing. Genet Med. 2013 Feb;15(2):153-6. doi: 10.1038/gim.2012.165. Epub 2013 Jan 3.
- Khandanpour N, Willis G, Meyer FJ, Armon MP, Loke YK, Wright AJ, Finglas PM, Jennings BA. Peripheral arterial disease and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T mutations: A case-control study and meta-analysis. J Vasc Surg. 2009 Mar;49(3):711-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2008.10.004. Epub 2009 Jan 21.
- Kumar A, Kumar P, Prasad M, Sagar R, Yadav AK, Pandit AK, Jali VP, Pathak A. Association of C677T polymorphism in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR gene) with ischemic stroke: a meta-analysis. Neurol Res. 2015 Jul;37(7):568-77. doi: 10.1179/1743132815Y.0000000008. Epub 2015 Jan 16.
- Levin BL, Varga E. MTHFR: Addressing Genetic Counseling Dilemmas Using Evidence-Based Literature. J Genet Couns. 2016 Oct;25(5):901-11. doi: 10.1007/s10897-016-9956-7. Epub 2016 Apr 30.
- Liu F, Silva D, Malone MV, Seetharaman K. MTHFR A1298C and C677T Polymorphisms Are Associated with Increased Risk of Venous Thromboembolism: A Retrospective Chart Review Study. Acta Haematol. 2017;138(4):208-215. doi: 10.1159/000480447. Epub 2017 Dec 7.
- Moll S, Varga EA. Homocysteine and MTHFR Mutations. Circulation. 2015 Jul 7;132(1):e6-9. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.114.013311. No abstract available.
- Sibani S, Christensen B, O'Ferrall E, Saadi I, Hiou-Tim F, Rosenblatt DS, Rozen R. Characterization of six novel mutations in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene in patients with homocystinuria. Hum Mutat. 2000;15(3):280-7. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1098-1004(200003)15:33.0.CO;2-I.
- Trabetti E. Homocysteine, MTHFR gene polymorphisms, and cardio-cerebrovascular risk. J Appl Genet. 2008;49(3):267-82. doi: 10.1007/BF03195624.
- Trimmer EE. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase: biochemical characterization and medical significance. Curr Pharm Des. 2013;19(14):2574-93. doi: 10.2174/1381612811319140008.
- Urreizti R, Moya-Garcia AA, Pino-Angeles A, Cozar M, Langkilde A, Fanhoe U, Esteves C, Arribas J, Vilaseca MA, Perez-Duenas B, Pineda M, Gonzalez V, Artuch R, Baldellou A, Vilarinho L, Fowler B, Ribes A, Sanchez-Jimenez F, Grinberg D, Balcells S. Molecular characterization of five patients with homocystinuria due to severe methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency. Clin Genet. 2010 Nov;78(5):441-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.2010.01391.x.
- Xie SZ, Liu ZZ, Yu JH, Liu L, Wang W, Xie DL, Qin JB. Association between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and risk of cancer: evidence from 446 case-control studies. Tumour Biol. 2015 Nov;36(11):8953-72. doi: 10.1007/s13277-015-3648-z. Epub 2015 Jun 17.
- Yadav U, Kumar P, Yadav SK, Mishra OP, Rai V. "Polymorphisms in folate metabolism genes as maternal risk factor for neural tube defects: an updated meta-analysis". Metab Brain Dis. 2015 Feb;30(1):7-24. doi: 10.1007/s11011-014-9575-7. Epub 2014 Jul 9.
- Yan L, Zhao L, Long Y, Zou P, Ji G, Gu A, Zhao P. Association of the maternal MTHFR C677T polymorphism with susceptibility to neural tube defects in offsprings: evidence from 25 case-control studies. PLoS One. 2012;7(10):e41689. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0041689. Epub 2012 Oct 3.
- Zhang T, Lou J, Zhong R, Wu J, Zou L, Sun Y, Lu X, Liu L, Miao X, Xiong G. Genetic variants in the folate pathway and the risk of neural tube defects: a meta-analysis of the published literature. PLoS One. 2013 Apr 4;8(4):e59570. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0059570. Print 2013.
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