Genetics and vitamins of homocysteine metabolism: impact on neurodegenerative, cerebrovascular and neurooncological disorders

Methionin and homocysteine (Hcy) metabolism is of particular importance for CNS myelination, glutathione production, collagen cross-linking and nucleic acid synthesis. Dependency on several vitamins like riboflavin, pyridoxalphosphate, folate and cobalamin (B2, 6, 9, 12) and the presence of a number of functional polymorphisms account for the high interindividual variability of Hcy metabolism kinetics. The Hcy metabolism thus represents a promising candidate for the search of individual dispositions to neurodegenerative, vascular and oncological disorders. We review the biochemical and medical basics of Hcy meta…