MTRR
Protein:
5-Methyltetrahydrofolate-Homocysteine Methyltransferase Reductase
SNP ID:
5-Methyltetrahydrofolate-Homocysteine Methyltransferase Reductase (MTRR) is an enzyme which interacts with methionine synthase, to ensure the continued production of the essential amino acid methionine, and is encoded for by the MTRR gene 1.
Methionine is an essential amino acid and is required for numerous processes throughout the body. A major source of methionine is the enzyme methionine synthase which converts homocysteine into methionine, using 5-methlytetrahydrofolate (MTHF) produced by methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) as a methyl donor 2.
The activity of methionine synthase requires vitamin B12 as a co-factor, however over time this becomes inactivated. MTRR breaks the association between methionine synthase and inactive vitamin B12, allowing a new functional vitamin B12 molecule to bind, ensuring continuing production of methionine 3.
There is one SNP in MTRR associated with poor health outcomes, rs1801394 or A66G.
| rsID Number | Major Allele | Minor Allele | Minor Allele Frequency (%) | Major Amino Acid | Minor Amino Acid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rs1801394 | a | g | 47 | Ile | Met |
Risk Description
The risk ‘G’ allele of A66G in the MTRR gene is associated with an accumulation of homocysteine 4, which is in turn associated with a variety of disorders including cancers, heart disease, stroke, raised blood pressure and potential issues with birth defects 5–7.
MTRR is responsible for breaking methionine synthase and its vitamin B12 co-factor apart, when the co-factor becomes inactivated over time. The risk ‘G’ allele of A66G has been shown to interact less strongly with methionine synthase leading to reduced activity, and eventually an accumulation of homocysteine 8.
Indirect Nutrients:*
| Ingredient | Active Ingredient | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin B12 | Methylcobalamin |
Vitamin B12 is the cofactor for methionine synthase. When bound methionine synthase can process homocysteine into the essential amino acid methionine. Over time the vitamin B12 molecule loses its effectiveness and must be removed, and replaced with a new molecule, which is achieved by MTRR 8. The risk ‘G’ allele of A66G is associated with a reduction in its activity. Whilst supplementation with vitamin B12 will not benefit MTRR activity directly it may help ensure maximal methionine sythnase function. |
| L-Methionine |
Methionine synthase converts homocysteine into the essential amino acid methionine. The risk ‘G’ allele of A66G in the MTRR gene leads to reduced methionine synthase activity. This can promote homocysteine accumulation, but can also limit the availability of methionine. Supplementation with L-methionine can ensure that an appropriate supply of methionine is available for cells and tissues. |
|
Nutritional Contraindications:*
| Ingredient | Active Ingredient | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | Acetaldehyde |
Acetaldehyde is required by the body in small amounts, yet is toxic when present at high levels, indeed AH is the breakdown product of ethanol responsible for many of the symptoms associated with hangovers 9. One of the mechanisms by which acetaldehyde induces its toxicity is by inhibiting the enzyme methionine synthase 100. Methionine synthase activity is reduced in those carrying the risk ‘G’ allele of A66G in the MTRR gene. Therefore carriers may benefit from avoiding generation of excessive acetaldehyde. |
Discuss this information with your doctor before taking any course of action.
Citations:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10564814
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9501215
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15347655
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9501215
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7563456
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21803414
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10090889
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12416982
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12206389
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9590515