title: Biochemical and Molecular Studies of Human Methenyltetrahydrofolate Synthetase.
abstract: 5-FormylH(4)folate is administered clinically under the name Leucovorintrade mark in association with the antineoplastic agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) to enhance the cytotoxic effects of 5-FU. The combination has been shown to be superior to 5-FU alone in the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma. Methenyltetrahydrofolate synthetase (MTHFS) catalyzes the transformation of 5-formyltetrahydrofolate to methenylH(4)folate, which is the obligatory initial metabolic step prior to the intracellular conversion of 5-formylH(4)folate to other reduced folates and the increase in intracellular folate pools required for 5-FU potentiation. In the following paper, we will summarize results of biochemical and molecular studies of human MTHFS.
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recherche, Hotel-Dieu de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, H2W 1T8, Canada.
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jolivet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dayan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beauchemin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chahla
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mamo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bertrand