Lecture #18 - Folate

Question 1

What are the components that make up Folate?

Answer 1

Made of 3 components:

1. 2-amino-4-hydroxypteridine
2. PABA
3. Glutamic acid (can be anywhere from 3-11)

Question 2

What is the role of Dihydrofolate Reductase in Folate metabolism?

Answer 2

Dihydrofolate reductase requires NADPH and NADP+, it adds 4 H groups to the molecule to make it tetrahydrofolate (this is what is inside of the cell once the vitamin is absorbed)

Question 3

What is the primary function of Folate?

Answer 3

Required as an enzyme cofactor for amino acid metabolism as well as for the synthesis of DNA; it is also important for homocysteine metabolism

Question 4

The discovery of folate and vitamin B12 originated from what

Answer 4

The discovery of folate and vitamin B12 originated from the search to cure megaloblastic anemia (characterized by RBCs that are fewer than normal in number as well as large and immature) in the late 1870s and early 1800s