FOLH1, also known as folate hydrolase 1 or PSMA, belongs to the IIb subtype of the M28 peptidase family and is a transmembrane glycoprotein. This protein functions as a carboxypeptidase on various alternate substrates, including dietary folate and the neuropeptide N-acetyl-L-aspartyl-L-glutamate, and is expressed in various tissues such as the prostate, central and peripheral nervous systems, and kidneys. Mutations in this gene may be associated with impaired intestinal absorption of dietary folate, leading to low blood folate levels and subsequent hyperhomocysteinemia. Its expression in the brain may be involved in various pathological conditions related to glutamatergic excitotoxicity. In the prostate, this protein is upregulated in cancer cells and serves as an effective diagnostic and prognostic marker for prostate cancer. Given its crucial role in prostate cancer, FOLH1 is an ideal target for tumor therapy.
