Expression and activity of methionine cycle genes are altered following folate and vitamin E deficiency under oxidative challenge: Modulation by apolipoprotein E-deficiency

Abstract

Folate deficiency increases neuronal oxidative damage and potentiates the deleterious effects of apolipoprotein E (ApoE) deficiency. Mice lacking ApoE (ApoE − / − mice) upregulate the expression and activity of another enzyme, glutathione synthase (GS), when deprived of folate, in an apparent attempt to compensate for increased oxidative damage. Herein, we examined the influence of ApoE and folate deficiency on expression and activity of several enzymes of the methionine cycle. Expression and activity of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase was increased in the order ApoE+/+

Keywords:

• Folate
• homocysteine
• neurodegeneration
• methylene tetrohydrofolate reductase
• methionine synthase
• cystathione beta synthase