Definition of Folate
1. Noun. A B vitamin that is essential for cell growth and reproduction.
Exact synonyms: Folacin,
Folic Acid,
Pteroylglutamic Acid,
Pteroylmonoglutamic Acid,
Vitamin Bc,
Vitamin MGeneric synonyms: B,
B Complex,
B Vitamin,
B-complex Vitamin,
Vitamin B,
Vitamin B Complex
Definition of Folate
1. folacin [n -S] - See also: folacin
Medical Definition of Folate
1.
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.
This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology
(11 Mar 2008)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Folate
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