Cited by 2,239Folate and B Vitamins ResearchEpigenetics and DNA MethylationBiochemical and Molecular Research

One-Carbon Metabolism in Health and Disease

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Ducker, Gregory S., Rabinowitz, Joshua D.·2017·Cell Metabolism

Abstract

One-carbon (1C) metabolism, mediated by the folate cofactor, supports multiple physiological processes. These include biosynthesis (purines and thymidine), amino acid homeostasis (glycine, serine, and methionine), epigenetic maintenance, and redox defense. Both within eukaryotic cells and across organs, 1C metabolic reactions are compartmentalized. Here we review the fundamentals of mammalian 1C metabolism, including the pathways active in different compartments, cell types, and biological states. Emphasis is given to recent discoveries enabled by modern genetics, analytical chemistry, and isotope tracing. An emerging theme is the biological importance of mitochondrial 1C reactions, both for producing 1C units that are exported to the cytosol and for making additional products, including glycine and NADPH. Increased clarity regarding differential folate pathway usage in cancer, stem cells, development, and adult physiology is reviewed and highlights new opportunities for selective therapeutic intervention.

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  • Formate triggered upregulation of differentially expressed genes involved in one-carbon metabolism (Shmt2, Cth) and Nrf2-regulated genes (Cth, mt-Nd4, Tkt).

    “formate triggered an upregulation of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in 1C metabolism, such as serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (Shmt2)42,58 and cystathionine gamma-lyase (Cth)59, as well as genes regulated by Nrf2 (e.g.: Cth60, NADH dehydrogenase 4 (mt-Nd4)61 and transketolase (Tkt)62,63) (Figure 6L and Table S3).”
  • Tetrahydrofolate is the carrier that mediates 1C transfer reactions for de novo nucleotide synthesis.

    “The co-factor tetrahydrofolate (THF) is the carrier that mediates 1C transfer reactions for de novo nucleotide synthesis.66,67”
  • Mitochondrial formate is the main carbon source for cytosolic 1C metabolism.

    “Mitochondrial contributions to this pathway are critical, as mitochondrial formate is the main carbon source for cytosolic 1C metabolism 66”
  • Increasing the intensity of anabolism requires the coordinated up-regulation of a number of biosynthetic processes, for which glycolysis and one-carbon metabolism are crucial sources of structural units.

    “Increasing the intensity of anabolism requires the coordinated up-regulation of a number of biosynthetic processes, for which glycolysis and one-carbon metabolism are crucial sources of structural units [37,45,46].”

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Authors
Ducker, G. S., & Rabinowitz, J. D.
Affiliations
Princeton University (US)
Corresponding author
Rabinowitz, Joshua D.
Venue
Cell Metabolism
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2017-01
Volume
25
Issue
1
Pages
27-42
ISSN
1550-4131 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2520894026
Cited by
2,239
References
153
Citations by year
2026: 366 · 2025: 308 · 2024: 316 · 2023: 250 · 2022: 263 · 2021: 261 · 2020: 205 · 2019: 144 · 2018: 80 · 2017: 41 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 1
FWCI
14.04
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cell Metabolism (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • Stand Up To Cancer
  • National Cancer Institute (R01CA163591)
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (P30DK019525)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Rheumatology › Folate and B Vitamins Research
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Biochemical and Molecular Research
Keywords
one-carbon metabolism, folic acid, folate pathway, purine biosynthesis, thymidine biosynthesis, amino acid homeostasis, methionine metabolism, serine metabolism, glycine metabolism, epigenetic maintenance, redox defense, NADPH production, isotope tracing, cancer metabolism, stem cells, development (biology)
MeSH terms
Animals, Carbon, Disease, Health, Humans, Mitochondria, Neoplasms, Metabolic Networks and Pathways

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