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Enzymatic synthesis and function of folylpolyglutamates
Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
|August 11, 1981
Summary
Folylpolyglutamates, essential folate derivatives, act as enzyme cofactors, inhibitors, and enhance folate retention. Their biosynthesis involves a single enzyme, folylpolyglutamate synthetase, with distinct procaryotic and eucaryotic forms.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Folic acid derivatives, folylpolyglutamates, are crucial in biological systems.
- These compounds feature poly (gamma-glutamyl) chains of 2-8 glutamate residues.
- Their roles and synthesis are vital for cellular folate metabolism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the functions of folylpolyglutamates.
- To discuss the biosynthesis of folylpolyglutamates by synthetases.
- To highlight the characteristics of folylpolyglutamate synthetases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing data on folylpolyglutamates.
- Analysis of biosynthesis pathways and enzyme characteristics.
- Comparison of procaryotic and eucaryotic folylpolyglutamate synthetases.
Main Results:
- Folylpolyglutamates serve as in vivo cofactors for folate-dependent enzymes.
- They also act as inhibitors for non-substrate folate-dependent enzymes.
- Folylpolyglutamates enhance cellular retention of folates and have specialized roles in certain organisms.
Conclusions:
- A single enzyme, folylpolyglutamate synthetase, synthesizes all polyglutamate derivatives.
- Both procaryotic and eucaryotic synthetases require ATP, monovalent cations, and high pH.
- Significant differences exist in substrate specificity and product length between procaryotic and eucaryotic synthetases.