We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Embryonic folate metabolism and mouse neural tube defects.
- Authors
Fleming, A; Copp, A J
- Abstract
Folic acid prevents 70 percent of human neural tube defects (NTDs) but its mode of action is unclear. The deoxyuridine suppression test detects disturbance of folate metabolism in homozygous splotch (Pax3) mouse embryos that are developing NTDs in vitro. Excessive incorporation of [3H]thymidine in splotch embryos indicates a metabolic deficiency in the supply of folate for the biosynthesis of pyrimidine. Exogenous folic acid and thymidine both correct the biosynthetic defect and prevent some NTDs in splotch homozygotes, whereas methionine has an exacerbating effect. These data support a direct normalization of neurulation by folic acid in humans and suggest a metabolic basis for folate action.
- Publication
Science (New York, N.Y.), 1998, Vol 280, Issue 5372, p2107
- ISSN
0036-8075
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1126/science.280.5372.2107