SHMT
SHMT stands for serine hydroxymethyltransferase, a pyridoxal phosphate–dependent enzyme that participates in folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism. It catalyzes the reversible transfer of a hydroxymethyl group from serine to tetrahydrofolate (THF), producing glycine and methylene-THF (CH2-THF). The methylene-THF generated acts as a one-carbon donor in the synthesis of thymidylate and purines, linking serine catabolism to nucleotide biosynthesis and cellular methylation reactions.
In humans, there are two major isoforms with different cellular localizations: SHMT1 is cytosolic, and SHMT2
SHMT activity is central to the folate cycle and interfaces with downstream enzymes such as thymidylate synthase.
Biological and clinical relevance: SHMT supports the nucleotide biosynthesis required by rapidly proliferating cells, linking metabolism