Tetrahydrofolate is essential for purine and pyrimidine synthesis, its deficiency can lead to inhibition of nucleic acid such as DNA and RNA and protein synthesis, which are important for the growth and survival of both normal cells and cancer cells. N-10-formyltetrahydrofolate acts as a donor of carbon atoms to the actively growing bases. It contribution is mediated by the action of the Glycinamide Ribonucleotide (GAR) transformylase and the N-5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide (AICAR) transformylase.
