structure of methotrexate, a drug used to treat cancer, resembles that of:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Methotrexate is a folate antagonist, meaning that it blocks the action of the vitamin folate in the body. It works by inhibiting an enzyme involved in the synthesis of DNA, helping to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells. The resemblance to vitamin C and vitamin E is not as strong, and pyridoxine is not directly related to the mechanism of action of methotrexate. Methotrexate is a folate antagonist, meaning it inhibits the function of the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase. This blocks the conversion of folic acid to its active form, tetrahydrofolic acid, which is essential for DNA synthesis in rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells. As a result, methotrexate is often used in the treatment of cancers such as leukemia, breast cancer, and lung cancer. Its structure resembles that of folate, which allows it to bind to the dihydrofolate reductase enzyme and block its function.

Structure of Methotrexate, a Drug Used to Treat Cancer, Resembles