DHFR is an enzyme that reduces dihydrofolate to tetrahydrofolate, a reaction essential for the synthesis of purines, thymidylic acid, and certain amino acids. The catalytic role of DHFR is vital in maintaining the cellular folate pool, which indirectly affects the synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins. This enzyme acts as a catalyst by facilitating the transfer of a hydride ion from NADPH to dihydrofolate, converting it into its active form, tetrahydrofolate.
