dihydrofolic acid

Dihydrofolic acid is a reduced derivative of folic acid (vitamin B9), serving as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of tetrahydrofolic acid via the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase. Tetrahydrofolate is essential for the synthesis of purines and pyrimidines—the building blocks of DNA and RNA—making dihydrofolic acid crucial for cell division and growth. Inhibition of its reduction to tetrahydrofolate by drugs such as methotrexate or trimethoprim disrupts nucleic acid synthesis in rapidly dividing cells or bacteria[1][3][5][7]. Dihydrofolic acid itself is not used therapeutically but is widely utilized in biochemical research to study folate metabolism and drug mechanisms.

Other names

dihydro folic acid7,8-Dihydropteroyl-L-glutamic acidDihydropteroyl-L-glutamic acidN-(4-(((2-amino-4-oxo-3,4,7,8-tetrahydropteridin-6-yl)methyl)amino)benzoyl)-L-glutamic acid