What is involved in formation of d-TMP from d-UMP
I remember that in nucleotide synthesis, thymidylate synthase is the enzyme responsible for this reaction. It uses N5,N10-methylene tetrahydrofolate as a cofactor. The process involves the transfer of a methyl group to dUMP, converting it into dTMP. Also, dihydrofolate reductase is involved in the folate pathway, but that's part of the regeneration of tetrahydrofolate. Methotrexate inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, which would affect this pathway because the methyl group transfer requires the folate cofactor. So if the options include thymidylate synthase, that's the correct answer. The other options might be enzymes like thymidine kinase, which phosphorylates thymidine, or other enzymes in different pathways. Also, dCMP is another nucleotide, but that's not involved here. The key is the specific enzyme and cofactor involved in the methylation of dUMP to dTMP.
**Core Concept**
The conversion of deoxyuridine monophosphate (dUMP) to deoxythymidine monophosphate (dTMP) is a critical step in DNA synthesis. This reaction is catalyzed by **thymidylate synthase**, which transfers a methyl group from **N5,N10-methylene tetrahydrofolate** to dUMP, requiring folate metabolism for cofactor regeneration.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
**Thymidylate synthase** directly catalyzes the methylation of dUMP to dTMP, using N5,N10-methylene tetrahydrofolate as the methyl donor. This reaction is irreversible and essential for thymidine nucleotide availability in DNA replication. The folate cofactor is oxidized to dihydrofolate, which must be reduced back to tetrahydrofolate by dihydrofolate reductase to sustain the cycle.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** *Thymidine kinase* phosphorylates thymidine (to dTMP) but cannot methylate dUMP.
**Option B:** *Dihydrofolate reductase* regenerates tetrahydrofolate but does not directly methylate dUMP.
**Option C:** *Ribonucleotide reductase* reduces ribonucleotides to deoxyribonucleotides but is unrelated to dUMP methylation.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
**Methotrexate** inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, depleting N5,N10-methylene tetrahydrofolate and indirectly blocking thymidylate synthase. This antifolate mechanism starves cells of dTMP, impairing DNA synthesis—key in cancer chemotherapy.
**Correct Answer: C. Thymidylate synthase**