Study of ABCB1 multidrug resistance protein in a common orofacial malformation

The onset of embryonic malformations is greatly determined by the intrauterine environment, conditioned by maternal lifestyle, diet, drugs and medication intake, in addition to both foetal and maternal genotypes. Maternal C677T MTHFR genotype has been identified as important factor in cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) etiology. In the present study we evaluated the possible interaction between maternal methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and foetal ABCB1 genotypes. ABCB1 gene codes for a drug-transport pump in charge to protect the cell by extruding a variety of harmful exogens, but with a reduced activity in a folate-restricted condition. Maternal 677T genotype is translated in a reduced folate availability for the developing embryo who consequently may becomes more exposed to external insults. A family based association analysis was performed to test the effect of ABCB1 polymorphisms in clefting, in the whole sample and in the stratified sample accordingly to maternal MTHFR genotype. No evidence of association between ABCB1 polymorphisms and CL/P was detected. This suggests that ABCB1 or ABCB1-MTHFR feto-maternal interaction could have no effect in orofacial clefting or could play a role in a limited number of cases.