Biochemistry at The Biology Project

B12/Folate Problem set

Question 2: A reaction that uses both folate and B12

Tutorial to help answer the question

N5-methyl tetrahydrofolate (THF) and methyl-B12 are both cofactors in the reaction that produces:

A. methionine
B. cysteine
C. thymidylate
D. inosine monophosphate
E. methylmalonyl CoA

Tutorial

Methionine synthase needs two cofactors


Fig. 2 - Methionine synthase utilizes both a THF and a B12 derivative.

This is all about a simple methyl group. Where the methyl originally comes from is not our concern here; we pick it up as N5-methyl THF (a), which first passes the methyl group to B12 (b), which in turn gives it up to make methionine (c). All three forms (a-c) are stages in a single enzymatic reaction, catalyzed by "methionine synthase" [whose other name, for the record, is "N5-methyl THF homocysteine methyltransferase"]. By the way, the coloring scheme in this and all other figures in this module is intended to provide an easy identification for all reactions involving either folate (red) or B12 (blue). This reaction is unique in involving both cofactors. Next, we will follow this methyl group a couple of steps further...

[Problem 2] [Answer] [Problem 3]

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