FOLR1

Folate receptor 1 (FOLR1), also known as FOLR, folate receptor alpha, folate binding protein (FBP) or adult folate-binding protein, is a 37~42 kDa protein that belongs to the folate receptor family. Members of this gene family have a high affinity for folic acid and its reduced derivatives. Folate receptors mediate the delivery of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and folate analogs into the interior of cells. Mature FOLR1 is N-glycosylated and it is anchored to the cell surface by a GPI linkage. Human FOLR1 protein shares 83% amino acid sequence identity with mouse and rat FOLR1. Dietary folates are required for a variety of key metabolic processes that includes nucleotide and methionine synthesis, the interconversion of glycine and serine, and histidine breakdown.

FOLR1 is predominantly expressed in epithelial cells and its expression is up-regulated in various epithelial-derived tumors, including ovarian, breast, renal, lung, colorectal, and brain. Anti-FOLR1 monoclonal antibodies can be quite useful in targeted tumor therapies and diagnostic tests, for example, farletuzumab is in phase III trial for ovarian cancer and its target is ROLR1. Moreover, it is reported that mutations in FOLR1 gene can cause neurodegeneration due to cerebral folate transport deficiency.

Gene ID: 2348
UniProt ID: P15328