This podcast covers the amino acid contribution to the synthesis of the pyrimidine ring. The podcast also covers the regulation of the rate-limiting enzyme of pyrimidine synthesis carbamoylphosphate synthase II (CPSII). It is inhibited by UTP and activated by ATP and PRPP. A comparison of CPS I and CPSII is also included.

This podcast discusses the importance of tetrahydrofolate (THF) for making purines, which are essential for building nucleotides and nucleic acids in both humans and microorganisms. The podcast explains that microorganisms produce their own folic acid, which is needed for THF synthesis, and how drugs like sulfonamides block this production. The video also highlights that humans obtain folic acid from their diet and how the drug methotrexate inhibits an enzyme crucial for converting dietary folic acid into THF. Finally, the podcast notes that a lack of folic acid can lead to megaloblastic anemia and will particularly affect other rapidly dividing cells.

Folic acid plays 3 essential cellular roles, including synthesis of purines, thymidine, and metabolism of several amino acids. Nucleotide synthesis and nucleic acid synthesis are completely dependent on folic acid availability from the diet.