One-carbon metabolism
Folate-B12 methylation cycle
Also searched as Folate-B12 methylation cycle.
The route from a vitamin to an epigenetic mark. Folate, B12 and B6 feed this cycle; the cycle supplies the methyl groups that DNA methylation runs on. The mthfr variants that dominate consumer genetics sit here, and their effect is on this cycle, not on methylation directly.
In depth
The folate and B12 cycle that carries single carbon units for methylation and nucleotide synthesis.
What drives it
Micronutrient status increases it.
Folate, B12 and B6 are the cofactors this cycle runs on. Carried by the intermediary-metabolism and clinical reviews. doi 10.1016/j.molmet.2023.101755 · PMC9967593
Glycine calming increases it.
The serine-glycine interconversion is a principal one-carbon source. Carried by the intermediary-metabolism, micronutrient and redox reviews. doi 10.3390/nu18132141 · PMC9967593
Riboflavin cofactor increases it.
MTHFR is A FLAVOPROTEIN - riboflavin status modifies the effect of the MTHFR variants people test for, and the variant most discussed is the one that destabilizes the FAD cofactor. Carried by the intermediary-metabolism, micronutrient and redox reviews. doi 10.3390/nu18132141 · PMC9967593
What it drives
It increases Universal methyl donor.
The cycle regenerates methionine, from which SAMe is made. Carried by the intermediary-metabolism and clinical reviews. doi 10.1016/j.molmet.2023.101755 · PMC9967593
It reduces Homocysteine.
Remethylation consumes homocysteine and returns it to methionine. Carried by the intermediary-metabolism and clinical reviews. doi 10.1016/j.molmet.2023.101755 · PMC9967593
It increases Iron & oxygen carriage.
Folate and B12 deficiency produce megaloblastic anemia through impaired nucleotide synthesis. Carried by the intermediary-metabolism and clinical reviews. doi 10.1016/j.molmet.2023.101755 · PMC9967593
It increases Female fertility.
Folate status is the best-established periconceptional nutritional factor. Carried by the intermediary-metabolism and clinical reviews. doi 10.1016/j.molmet.2023.101755 · PMC9967593
Blends that modulate it
Each blend page names this pathway and carries the study behind its claim.
See it on the map
Open the causal map to follow this pathway upstream and downstream, arrow by arrow, each with its study.