Folate receptor beta is a

protein Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, respon ...

that in humans is encoded by the ''FOLR2''

gene In biology, the word gene (from , ; "... Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity..." meaning ''generation'' or ''birth'' or ''gender'') can have several different meanings. The Mendelian gene is a b ...

. The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the folate receptor (FOLR) family. Members of this gene family have a high affinity for

folic acid Folate, also known as vitamin B9 and folacin, is one of the B vitamins. Manufactured folic acid, which is converted into folate by the body, is used as a dietary supplement and in food fortification as it is more stable during processing a ...

and for several reduced folic acid derivatives, and mediate delivery of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate to the interior of cells. This protein has a 68% and 79% sequence homology with the

FOLR1 Folate receptor 1 (Folate receptor alpha, FOLR1) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''FOLR1'' gene. The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the folate receptor (FOLR) family. Members of this family have a high affinity for folic ...

and

FOLR3 Folate receptor gamma is a protein that in humans is encoded by the FOLR3 gene. It is involved in up-take of folic acid. Gene location The ''FOLR'' multi-gene family (''FOLR1'', ''FOLR2'' and ''FOLR3'') is localized to chromosome 11q13.3� ...

proteins, respectively. The FOLR2 protein was originally thought to exist only in placenta, but is also detected in spleen, bone marrow, and thymus.

References

Further reading