Question

Discuss the potential of polyglutamate tail in the molecular structure of folate

Answer 1

Folic acid in the form of tetrahydrofolate (THF) acts as a co-enzyme, which is involved in the transfer of single carbon units during the synthesis of thymidylate. Thymidylate is essential for the synthesis of amino acids and nucleic acids that are key elements of cell division, cellular growth and metabolism. Folic acid is also needed for erythropoiesis (production of red blood cells).

The THF attached to polyglutamate tail conjugated with GABA is the biologically active form. The polyglutamated form of folate is important to retain the folate within the cells, it is a poor substrate for the folate transport. Lack of the polyglutamate chain reduces the absorption or bioavailability of natural folate by 25% to 50%.