Folinic acid pathway

The "Folinic acid pathway" is not a single molecular target but refers broadly to a set of interconnected biochemical reactions involving folinic acid (leucovorin), tetrahydrofolates, and related metabolites. This metabolic network is central to one-carbon transfer reactions required for DNA synthesis/repair and amino acid interconversions. Key enzymes include dihydrofolate reductase and thymidylate synthase; key transporters include reduced folate carrier and proton-coupled folate transporter. Drugs such as methotrexate inhibit parts of this system; others like leucovorin rescue normal cells by bypassing blocked steps. The term "Folinic acid pathway" is imprecise—it does not refer to an established therapeutic target such as an enzyme or receptor but rather describes a functional group of processes essential for cell growth and and division.

Other names

Folinic acid metabolismLeucovorin pathwayTetrahydrofolate cycle (inaccurate, but sometimes used interchangeably)One-carbon metabolism (broader process)