Application

Aminopterin has been used in the production of anti- neurogranin antibodies.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Folic acid antagonist. Aminopterin is actively transported into cells by the folate transporter. In the cell, it is converted to a high molecular weight polyglutamate metabolite by folylpolyglutamate synthase that, in turn, binds to dihydrofolate reductase and inhibits its activity. Aminopterin-polyglutamate is degraded intracellularly by γ-glutamyl hydrolase.

Aminopterin is found to inhibit growth, embryogenesis and has toxic effects in mice models. It serves as a abortifacient. Aminopterin is known to reduce the effects of acute leukemia in children.

Linkage

More potent, but more toxic, than methotrexate.