Folate enzymes in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma-bearing mice

The activity of 4 enzymes involved in the formation and interconversion of folate coenzymes has been examined in liver and kidney of healthy and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma-bearing mice. In the liver, a 50% increase of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase activity was shown soon after tumour cell inoculation, while the activity of formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase and methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase decrease by 20% at an advanced stage of tumour development. In kidneys of the host mouse the only change observed was a decrease of dihydrofolate reductase activity. The levels of activity of all assayed enzymes found in host organs were similar to that in Ehrlich carcinoma cells.