Editing Dihydrofolate reductase (section)

=== Cancer ===
DHFR is responsible for the levels of tetrahydrofolate in a cell, and the inhibition of DHFR can limit the growth and proliferation of cells that are characteristic of cancer and bacterial infections. [[Methotrexate]], a [[competitive inhibitor]] of DHFR, is one such anticancer drug that inhibits DHFR.<ref name="pmid10623528">{{cite journal | vauthors = Li R, Sirawaraporn R, Chitnumsub P, Sirawaraporn W, Wooden J, Athappilly F, Turley S, Hol WG | s2cid = 24527344 | title = Three-dimensional structure of ''M. tuberculosis'' dihydrofolate reductase reveals opportunities for the design of novel tuberculosis drugs | journal = Journal of Molecular Biology | volume = 295 | issue = 2 | pages = 307–23 | date = January 2000 | pmid = 10623528 | doi = 10.1006/jmbi.1999.3328 }}</ref>

[[Folate]] is necessary for growth,<ref name="pmid19706381">{{cite journal | vauthors = Bailey SW, Ayling JE | title = The extremely slow and variable activity of dihydrofolate reductase in human liver and its implications for high folic acid intake | journal = Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America | volume = 106 | issue = 36 | pages = 15424–9 | date = September 2009 | pmid = 19706381 | pmc = 2730961 | doi = 10.1073/pnas.0902072106 | doi-access = free }}</ref> and the pathway of the metabolism of folate is a target in developing treatments for cancer. DHFR is one such target. A regimen of [[fluorouracil]], [[doxorubicin]], and methotrexate was shown to prolong survival in patients with advanced gastric cancer.<ref name="pmid8508427">{{cite journal | vauthors = Murad AM, Santiago FF, Petroianu A, Rocha PR, Rodrigues MA, Rausch M | title = Modified therapy with 5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin, and methotrexate in advanced gastric cancer | journal = Cancer | volume = 72 | issue = 1 | pages = 37–41 | date = July 1993 | pmid = 8508427 | doi = 10.1002/1097-0142(19930701)72:1<37::AID-CNCR2820720109>3.0.CO;2-P | doi-access = free }}</ref> Further studies into inhibitors of DHFR can lead to more ways to treat cancer.