5-Methyltetrahydrofolic acid and other folate derivatives in germinating pea seedlings

Abstract

The folate derivatives present in germinating pea seedlings were isolated by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and assayed with Lactobacillus casei, Streptococcus faecalis, and Pediococcus cerevisiae. The major folate derivative in the cotyledons, developing embryos, and young leaves was identified as 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. Smaller amounts of 10-formyltetrahydrofolate were also present in these tissues. Synthesis of these derivatives in the cotyledons was inhibited by aminopterin. Feeding experiments showed that the 5-methyl derivative was rapidly synthesized from folic acid-2-14C.