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State the function of tetrahydrofolate (thf) and state reactions where it is involved.
Accepted Answer
Tetrahydrofolate (THF) is a coenzyme essential for various metabolic reactions, primarily in the transfer of one-carbon units. It plays a critical role in:
Purine and pyrimidine biosynthesis: THF carries one-carbon units required for the synthesis of nucleotides, the building blocks of DNA and RNA.
Amino acid metabolism: THF is involved in the conversion of dihydrofolate to tetrahydrofolate, a crucial step in the synthesis of various amino acids, including methionine and glycine.
De novo synthesis of thymine: THF is a cofactor for the enzyme thymidylate synthase, which converts dihydrofolate to tetrahydrofolate, a crucial step in the synthesis of thymine, a DNA base.
Some important reactions involving THF are:
Serine hydroxymethyltransferase reaction: THF is involved in the conversion of serine to glycine, transferring a one-carbon unit from serine to THF.
Thymidylate synthase reaction: THF is required for the reduction of dihydrofolate to tetrahydrofolate, essential for the synthesis of thymine.
Glycine cleavage system: THF is involved in the degradation of glycine, accepting a one-carbon unit from glycine.
Deficiency in THF can lead to various health issues, including anemia, neural tube defects, and impaired growth.
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