Formiminoglutamic Acid (FIGlu) is an intermediary organic acid in the conversion of the amino acid histidine to glutamic acid. This enzymatic conversion requires tetrahydrofolic acid.
- The intermediate metabolite in the pathway that converts histidine to glutamic acid. Histidine provides one-carbon units for conversion of FIGLU to glutamic acid.
- FIGLU can become elevated in those with a folate deficiency, even without a histidine load, and in inborn errors.
References:
- Broquist HP, Luhby AL. Detection and isolation of formiminoglutamic acid from urine in folic acid deficiency in humans. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1959;100(2):349-354.
- Cooperman JM, Lopez R. The role of histidine in the anemia of folate deficiency. Exp Biol Med. 2002;227(11):998-1000.
- Rabinowitz JC, Tabor H. The urinary excretion of formic acid and formiminoglutamic acid in folic acid deficiency. J Biol Chem. 1958;233(1):252-255.
- Fish Mb, Pollycove M, Feichtmeir Tv. Differentiation between Vitamin B12—deficient and Folic Acid—deficient Megaloblastic Anemias with C14—Histidine. Blood. 1963;21(4):447-461.
- Shojania AM. Oral contraceptives: effect of folate and vitamin B12 metabolism. Can Med Assoc J. 1982;126(3):244-247.
- Sullivan LW, Herbert V. Suppression of hematopoiesis by ethanol. J Clin Invest. 1964;43(11):2048-2062.
- Metz J, Stevens K, Brandt V. Urinary formiminoglutamic acid in the megaloblastic anaemias associated with pregnancy and malnutrition. Br Med J. 1962;2(5317):1440.
- Rosenauerová-ostrá A, Hilgertová J, Šonka J. Urinary formiminoglutamate in man normal values related to sex and age. Effects of low calorie intake and alcohol consumption. Clin Chim Acta. 1976;73(1):39-43.
Formiminoglutamic Acid
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