methyleneTHF
5,10-methylene-tetrahydrofolate, often written as methyleneTHF, is a one-carbon carrying derivative of tetrahydrofolate (THF). It serves as a critical donor of one-carbon units in nucleotide biosynthesis, most notably in the formation of thymidylate (dTMP) from deoxyuridylate (dUMP) via thymidylate synthase, producing dihydrofolate (DHF) in the process. This reaction is essential for DNA replication and repair.
Biogenesis and metabolism: 5,10-methylene-THF is formed in the cytosol when serine donates a methylene group to
Clinical relevance: Folate metabolism is a common target in medicine. Inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase, such as
In summary, methyleneTHF is a central one-carbon donor in folate metabolism, connecting amino acid metabolism to