Cytoplasmic serine hydroxymethyltransferase or SHMT1 regulates the biosynthesis of thymidylate in mammals. SHMT1 catalyzes the conversion of serine to glycine, which also results in the formation of 5,10-methylene-tetrahydrofolate.
Rises in SHMT1 activity have been linked to increased DNA synthesis in tumors and hence SHMT1 can have cancer therapeutic implications . Anti-SHMT1 antibody is specific for SHMT1 in humans.