⚡
Metabolic
Universal
Folate / One-Carbon Metabolism
Transfer of one-carbon units for nucleotide synthesis, methylation, and amino acid metabolism.
Overview
Folate (vitamin B9) serves as a carrier for one-carbon units at various oxidation states (methyl, methylene, formyl). Tetrahydrofolate (THF) derivatives participate in purine and thymidylate synthesis, amino acid interconversion (serine-glycine), and homocysteine remethylation to methionine. The methionine cycle generates S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), the universal methyl donor for DNA, RNA, histones, and small molecules.
Cellular Location
Cytoplasm, mitochondria
Clinical Significance
Folate deficiency causes neural tube defects and megaloblastic anemia; MTHFR polymorphisms affect cardiovascular risk; methotrexate inhibits DHFR.