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The Interweaving of B9- and B12-Dependent Reactions and Their Clinical Implications

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Hydrophilic Vitamins in Health and Disease

Part of the book series: Advances in Biochemistry in Health and Disease ((ABHD,volume 29))

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Abstract

Folate (vitamin B9) and vitamin B12 (cobalamin) are part of the one-carbon metabolism pathways. Both of them are water-soluble compounds and play an essential role in DNA production, amino acid homeostasis, antioxidant activities and epigenetic regulation. These vitamins are involved in very few reactions in the human body, yet they are vital to normal functioning of the cells. In synergy, these vitamins play an essential role in the conversion of homocysteine to S-adenosyl methionine (the universal methyl donor) via methionine. Through these reactions they ensure appropriate cell division and maturation via their impact on DNA synthesis and metabolism, regulation of gene expression and maintenance of chromosome conformation. It follows that any aberrations in these reactions (as may occur due to deficiency of these vitamins) have far reaching effects that encompass foetal development, haematopiesis, the circulatory system, the nervous system, genetic aberrations, epigenetic transformations, malignancies and ageing, i.e. from conception to demise.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chairperson & Senior Consultant, Department of Biochemistry, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India

    Seema Bhargava & Seema Bhargava

  2. Senior Consultant, Department of Biochemistry, Quality Manager, Clinical Laboratory Services, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India

    Mamta Kankra

Authors
  1. Seema Bhargava
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Correspondence to Seema Bhargava .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. California State University Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Anureet K. Shah

  2. Asper Clinical Research Institute, St. Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

    Paramjit S. Tappia

  3. Albrechtsen Research Centre, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, St. Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

    Naranjan S. Dhalla

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Bhargava, S., Kankra, M. (2024). The Interweaving of B9- and B12-Dependent Reactions and Their Clinical Implications. In: Shah, A.K., Tappia, P.S., Dhalla, N.S. (eds) Hydrophilic Vitamins in Health and Disease. Advances in Biochemistry in Health and Disease, vol 29. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-55474-2_14

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