Effects of the glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCP2 1561C>T) and reduced folate carrier (RFC1 80G>A) allelic variants on folate and total homocysteine levels in kidney transplant patients

Background. The effect of the glutamate carboxypeptidase II GCP2 1561C>T and the reduced folate carrier 1 RFC1 80G>A polymorphisms on folate and total homocysteine (tHcy) plasma levels of kidney transplant patients are unknown. Methods. In a cross-sectional study of 730 kidney allograft recipients, GCP2 1561C>T, RFC1 80G>A, folate, and tHcy plasma levels were analyzed using linear regression models that allowed dependent covariates to follow a gamma distribution for univariate and multivariate analyses. Results. The allele frequency for GCP2 1561C>T was 0.05, and 0.43 for RFC1 80G>A. Heterozygosity or homozygosity for GCP2 1561C>T was associated with higher folate plasma levels compared to patients without mutation (P<0.0001), while RFC1 80G>A showed no influence. Multiple testing, also including MTHFR 677C>T and MTHFR 1298A>C, revealed no interaction between the different genotypes and the folate plasma concentration. Neither GCP2 1561C>T nor RFC1 80G>A showed an association with tHcy plasma levels. Conclusion. We conclude that GCP2 1561C>T is associated with elevated folate levels. GCP2 1561C>T and RFC1 80G>A are no major determinants of tHcy plasma levels in kidney transplant patients.