[7] It is associated with fluctuations in cytokine secretion in response to viral infections and vaccines.

Three classes of MTHFD2L RNA transcripts have been detected at equal levels in adult human brain and placenta, though their translation into stable proteins in vivo has not been confirmed.

Within the mitochondria, it participates the conversion of folate to formate as part of the mitochondrial pathway for 1-carbon metabolism.

[7][9] The formate produced via the mitochondrial pathway can contribute to purine and thymidine synthesis and homocysteine remethylation into methionine, as well as be converted into 1-carbon units to fuel the cytoplasmic pathway of folate metabolism.

Identification of the genetic elements controlling cytokine secretion in response to viral infection or vaccination can improve next-generation vaccines to provide robust immune protection while avoiding adverse effects.