dihidrofolátsav
Dihidrofolátsav, also known as dihydrofolic acid or DHFA, is a crucial intermediate in the metabolism of folic acid in living organisms. Folic acid, or vitamin B9, is essential for various biological processes, including DNA synthesis, repair, and methylation. Dihidrofolátsav is formed when folic acid is reduced by the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). This reduction step is vital because the subsequent form, tetrahydrofolate (THF), is the active coenzyme that carries one-carbon units necessary for the synthesis of purines and pyrimidines, the building blocks of DNA and RNA.
The pathway involving dihidrofolátsav is a target for several medications. For instance, methotrexate, a commonly used
In bacteria, this pathway is also essential, and drugs like trimethoprim selectively inhibit bacterial DHFR, making