shmt 1

Serine Hydroxymethyltransferase Cytosolic (SHMT1) is a member of the SHMT family. SHMT1 is a cytoplasmic protein and exists as a homotetramer. SHMT1 catalyzes the reversible conversion of serine and tetrahydrofolate to glycine and 5,10-methylene tetrahydrofolate. This reaction provides one carbon unit for the synthesis of methionine, thymidylate, and purines in the cytoplasm. A reduction in SHMT1 levels would result in less glycine that could affect the nervous system by acting as an agonist to the NMDA receptor and this could be a mechanism behind Smith-Magenis syndrome.