[Progress in researches on neural tube defects related the genes]

Neural tube defects are common birth defects which are ascribed to the combination of genetic and environmental factors. The genetic factors include cell growth factors,transformation factors and key enzymic genes involved in folate metabolism. This paper reviews the genes as focus of current investigation and the relationship between the genetic polymorphism on the specific sites and neural tube defects based on animal model and population epidemiological study. It indicates that the multifactors play an important role in the etiology of neural tube defects.