THE PRODUCTION OF FOLIC ACID BY RAT LIVER IN VITRO.

The occurrence in urine and in acid-autoclaved grass and liver extracts of a substance which appears to participate in the synthesis of folic acid by rat liver in vitro is described. A similar effect is produced by synthetic xanthopterin. The effect of these materials might be accomplished by (1) catalysis of the enzymatic synthesis of folic acid; (2) the release of folic acid not liberated by takadiastase from tissue complexes; or (3) their serving as substrate material for the enzymatic synthesis of folic acid. The data presented favor the last hypothesis and suggest that xanthopterin, or a substance derived from it, may constitute a portion of the folic acid molecule. The probable involvement of compounds related to ranthopterin in the formation of hemocytopoietic substances in several animal species is discussed.