Anti-Folate Binding Protein

The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the folate receptor family. Members of this gene family bind folic acid and its reduced derivatives, and transport 5-methyltetrahydrofolate into cells. This gene product is a secreted protein that either anchors to membranes via a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol linkage or exists in a soluble form. Mutations in this gene have been associated with neurodegeneration due to cerebral folate transport deficiency. Due to the presence of two promoters, multiple transcription start sites, and alternative splicing, multiple transcript variants encoding the same protein have been found for this gene. Protein function: Binds to folate and reduced folic acid derivatives and mediates delivery of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and folate analogs into the interior of cells (PubMed:23851396, PubMed:23934049, PubMed:2527252, PubMed:8033114, PubMed:8567728, PubMed:19074442). Has high affinity for folate and folic acid analogs at neutral pH (PubMed:23851396, PubMed:23934049, PubMed:2527252, PubMed:8033114, PubMed:8567728). Exposure to slightly acidic pH after receptor endocytosis triggers a conformation change that strongly reduces its affinity for folates and mediates their release (PubMed:8567728). Required for normal embryonic development and normal cell proliferation. [The UniProt Consortium]