Question

How is tetrahydrofolate/folic acid involved in nucleotide metabolism?

Answer 1

Vitamins are the organic compounds required by the human body and are considered as vital nutrients needed in specific amounts. They cannot be synthesized in a sufficient amount by the human body; so, they must be obtained from the diet.  Folic acid has a vital role in cell growth and development through many reactions and processes that occur in the body, e.g. histidine cycle, serine and glycine cycle, methionine cycle, thymidylate cycle, and purine cycle. Folic acid is known as vitamin B9 which has vital functions. Our body needs folic acid for the synthesis, repair, and methylation of DNA. Moreover, it acts as a cofactor in many vital biological reactions. Folate has an important role in cell division and it is especially needed during infancy and pregnancy.  It helps in the production of DNA and RNA, the body's genetic material, especially when cells and tissues are growing rapidly, such as during infancy, adolescence, and pregnancy. Folic acid works closely with vitamin B12 in making red blood cells and helps iron function properly in the body. Vitamin B9 works with vitamins B6 and B12 and other nutrients in controlling the blood levels of the amino acid homocysteine. this way it is involved in nucleotide metabolism. A shortage in tetrahydrofolic acid can cause megaloblastic anemia.