TY - JOUR
TI - Activity of 5-formyl tetrahydrofolate cyclodehydrase and 5,10-methenyl
tetrahydrofolate cyclohydrolase in primary brain tumors in children
AU - TzortzatouStathopoulou, F
AU - Mikraki, V
AU - Xaidara, A
AU - Moschovi, M
AU - and Evangelinos, V
AU - Panagopoulos, K
JO - Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
PY - 1996
VL - 13
TODO - 6
SP - 511-519
PB - HEMISPHERE PUBL CORP
SN - 0888-0018, 1521-0669
TODO - 10.3109/08880019609030866
TODO - brain tumors; children; cytochemical activity; 5-formyl tetrahydrofolate
cyclodehydrase; 5,10-methenyl tetrahydrofolate cyclohydrolase
TODO - The activity of the enzymes 5-formyl tetrahydrofolate cyclodehydrase and
5,10-methenyl tetrahydrofolate cyclohydrolase has been studied
cytochemically in children’s primary brain tumors. These enzymes play a
significant role in purine biosynthesis. Thirty children, aged 1-12
years, were studied, 12 with medulloblastoma, 14 with glioma grade I-IV,
and 4 with ependymoma. The activity of the enzymes was apparent as
cytoplasmic granules that sometimes overlie the nucleus of the tumor
cells. This coincidence showed that different types of brain tumors
exhibit different degrees of enzymic activity, which in some cases
correlated positively with the malignant potential of the tumor.
Approximately one third of the cases were negative for any activity of
these enzymes. The intensity of the staining of 5,10-methenyl
tetrahydrofolate cyclohydrolase activity was actually higher than that
of 5-formyl tetrahydrofolate cyclodehydrase. The clinical or prognostic
significance of these findings remains to be clarified, but we believe
that cytochemistry provides a sensitive technique for the detection,
localization, and description of these enzymes in brain tumor cells. A
clear understanding of the mode of action of these enzymes may
contribute to devising novel therapeutic strategies.
ER -