Question

Complete all the statements about the cofactor that participates in the synthesis of thymidylate from deoxyuridylate and the conversion of serine into glycine.

The conversion of serine to glycine requires the cofactor______which accepts a methylene group from serine. Removal of the methylene group converts serine to glycine and oxidizes the cofactor to_______.
The enzyme thymidylate synthase uses the methylene group from the cofactor______to convert deoxyuridylate, dUMP, to thymidylate, TMP. As a result, the methyl group donor is further oxidized to______.
After the methylation of dUMP to TMP, a reductase enzyme regenerates the reduced cofactor______using NADPH as the reductant.

Answer 1

The conversion of serine to glycine requires the cofactor TETRAHYDROFOLATE which accepts a methylene group from serine. Removal of the methylene group converts serine to glycine and oxidizes the cofactor to N5,N10 METHENYLTETRAHYDROFOLATE .

The enzyme thymidylate synthase uses the methylene group from the cofactor TETRAHYDROFOLATE to convert deoxyuridylate, dUMP, to thymidylate, TMP. As a result, the methyl group donor is further oxidized to DIHYDROFOLATE.

After the methylation of dUMP to TMP, a reductase enzyme regenerates the reduced cofactor N5,N10 METHYLENETETRAHYDROFOLATE using NADPH as the reductant.