Cobalamin-dependent methionine synthase and serine hydroxymethyltransferase: targets for chemotherapeutic intervention?

ABSTRACT

Chemotherapeutic drugs targeted at folate-dependent reactions have typically been directed at a limited number of target enzymes dihydrofolate reductase, thymidylate synthase, and GAR and AICAR transformylase. This review discusses two other potential targets for chemotherapeutic inhibition cobalamin-dependent methionine synthase and serine hydroxymethyltransferase. Brief reviews of the catalytic properties of these two enzymes are presented, and possible strategies for chemotherapeutic intervention are discussed.