formaldehyde catabolic process

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The chemical reactions and pathways resulting in the breakdown of formaldehyde (methanal, H2C=O), the simplest aldehyde. [GOC:ai]

Formaldehyde catabolism is a crucial detoxification pathway that eliminates formaldehyde, a highly reactive and toxic compound. It occurs in various organisms, including bacteria, fungi, and mammals. The primary enzyme responsible for formaldehyde catabolism is formaldehyde dehydrogenase (FDH), which catalyzes the oxidation of formaldehyde to formate. This process is typically coupled with the reduction of NAD+ to NADH, generating reducing equivalents. The formate produced can then be further metabolized through various pathways, depending on the organism. In bacteria, formate is often converted to carbon dioxide (CO2) by formate dehydrogenase, releasing energy in the form of ATP. In mammals, formate is transported to the liver where it is converted to CO2 through the tetrahydrofolate cycle, ultimately excreted as carbon dioxide via respiration. The formaldehyde catabolic process is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis and preventing the accumulation of toxic formaldehyde, which can damage DNA, proteins, and other cellular components. This process is also important for protecting against the harmful effects of exposure to formaldehyde, which is a common environmental pollutant.'
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Proteins (2)

Compounds (5)