Dihidrofolát

Dihidrofolát, also known as dihydrofolate (DHF), is a crucial organic compound in cellular metabolism. It is a derivative of folic acid, which is vitamin B9. DHF plays a central role in the folate cycle, a series of biochemical reactions essential for cell growth and division. Specifically, dihydrofolate is an intermediate in the conversion of folic acid into its active coenzyme form, tetrahydrofolate (THF). This transformation is catalyzed by the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). Tetrahydrofolate is then utilized in the synthesis of purines and pyrimidines, the building blocks of DNA and RNA, as well as in the metabolism of certain amino acids. Therefore, the proper functioning of DHFR and the efficient interconversion between folic acid, DHF, and THF are vital for DNA replication, repair, and cell proliferation. Inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase, such as methotrexate, are widely used as chemotherapeutic agents and antimicrobial drugs because they disrupt DNA synthesis and halt the rapid division of cancer cells and microbes. The body obtains folic acid from dietary sources, and its metabolism, including the formation and subsequent reduction of dihydrofolate, is a tightly regulated process.