Regulation of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate synthesis

Abstract

After an intraperitoneal injection of 100 μmol of methionine to rats, there is rapid oxidation of the methyl group of hepatic 5-methyltetrahydrofolate to formate and CO2. Recovery of the methylfolate level starts 2.5 h after the methionine injection, when the hepatic methionine level and the S-adenosylmethionine/S-adenosylhomocysteine ratio have returned to baseline values. S-Adenosylmethionine concentration is still elevated at this time.