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Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Sequence-specific Labeling of Nucleic Acids and Proteins with Methyltransferases and Cofactor Analogues
Published on: November 22, 2014
Cobalamin inactivation induces formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase
Cobalamin deficiency impairs formate metabolism, leading to increased formyltetrahydropteroylglutamate synthetase (CHO-H4PteGlu) activity. This study confirms elevated synthetase activity after cobalamin inactivation.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Metabolic pathways
- Vitamin B12 research
Background:
- Cobalamin (vitamin B12) is crucial for one-carbon metabolism.
- Loss of cobalamin function disrupts formate metabolism, affecting folate synthesis.
- Previous studies reported conflicting effects of cobalamin inactivation on CHO-H4PteGlu synthetase.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of cobalamin inactivation on formate metabolism.
- To clarify the contradictory reports regarding CHO-H4PteGlu synthetase activity.
- To confirm the effect of cobalamin inactivation on formyltetrahydropteroylglutamate synthetase activity.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme activity assays to measure formyltetrahydropteroylglutamate synthetase.
- Metabolic studies involving formate utilization and accumulation.
- Experimental inactivation of cobalamin in a relevant biological system.
Main Results:
- Cobalamin inactivation significantly increases formyltetrahydropteroylglutamate synthetase (CHO-H4PteGlu) activity.
- Impaired synthesis of CHO-H4PteGlu was observed, contrary to previous findings.
- Accumulation of endogenous formate and reduced utilization of [14C]formate were confirmed.
Conclusions:
- Cobalamin inactivation leads to a significant upregulation of formyltetrahydropteroylglutamate synthetase (CHO-H4PteGlu) activity.
- This finding resolves conflicting reports and clarifies the role of cobalamin in folate metabolism.
- Understanding these metabolic changes is vital for diagnosing and managing cobalamin-related disorders.
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