| folate | <biochemistry> Molecule that acts as a carrier of one carbon units in intermediary metabolism. It contains residues of p aminobenzoate, glutamate and a substituted pteridine. The latter cannot be synthesised by mammals, which must obtain tetrahydrofolate as a vitamin or from intestinal microorganisms. One carbon units are carried at three different levels of oxidation, as methyl, methylene or formimino groups. Important biosyntheses dependent on tetrahydrofolate include those of methionine, thymine and purines. Analogues of dihydrofolate, such as aminopterin and methotrexate block the action of tetrahydrofolate by inhibiting its regeneration from dihydrofolate. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| folate antagonist | <pharmacology> One of a group of substances which blocks the formation of nucleotides that require the presence of folate (one of the B vitamins) before they can be made. The substance does this by blocking key steps in the reaction sequence. These substances are often used to treat cancer because fast-growing cancerous cells usually need to use the blocked reactions more than normal cells. (09 Oct 1997) |
| sodium folate | The sodium salt of folic acid; action and uses are the same as those of folic acid, but it is preferred for parenteral administration. Synonym: sodium pteroylglutamate. (05 Mar 2000) |
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