Thymidylate Synthase

Thymidylate synthase is an essential enzyme in our cells that helps produce thymidine, a building block of DNA. It catalyzes a chemical reaction that converts a molecule called deoxyuridine monophosphate (dUMP) into thymidine monophosphate (dTMP), which is then used to build and maintain DNA. This process is crucial for cell growth, repair, and replication. Because of its vital role, thymidylate synthase is also a target for certain chemotherapy drugs aimed at stopping the rapid growth of cancer cells.