Tetrahydrofolic acid

• H4Folat
• FH4
• Coenzyme F
• N-[( 6S) -5,6,7,8 - tetrahydro ] - L-glutamic acid
• 2 - ( (4 - ( ( 2-amino- 4-oxo- 5,6,7,8- tetrahydro -1 H- pteridine -6-yl ) methylamino) benzoyl) amino) pentanedioic acid

Fixed

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Tetrahydrofolic acid ( H4Folat, FH4 ), and coenzyme Q, is a biochemical derivative of folic acid (vitamin B9) and acts - bound to a polyglutamic acid - in the metabolism of all living organisms as an important methyl group donor.

Biological Significance

Tetrahydrofolic acid and their derivatives are of particular importance in the amino acid, pyrimidine and purine metabolism, as well as the Homoacetatgärung. It is needed for detoxification of formic acid, which is formed from methanol.

Biosynthesis and transport

Biosynthetically produced FH4 from FH2, which itself arises from folic acid. Be catalyzed both reactions the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase. Substances that inhibit this enzyme in its function, such as methotrexate ( antimetabolite ), act as cytotoxins.

Of action of FH4 is in the cytosol and in the mitochondria of cells. To give first FH4 from the blood plasma into the cytosol, the cell produces the transport protein Folattransporter 1, which catalyzes the input and discharge. To get inside the mitochondrion, there is equally the mitochondrial Folattransporter.

Reactions as a substrate

FH2, FH4 and its derivatives are inhibited by binding to polyglutamic acid ( polyglutamate ) to the discharge, and so is stored in the cytosol and the mitochondria of the cells. Only in this way a lot of carbon transferred reactions can take place. For the binding of FH2 and FH4 in the enzyme Folylpolyglutamat polyglutamate synthetase is required.

From FH4 - polyglutamate several derived substances are produced which act as a carbon carrier in important metabolic pathways. Most left after the reaction FH4 - polyglutamate, which is reused.