SHMT2 and cancer: SHMT2 therefore impinges several aspects of cancer cell regulation and metabolism, including catalyzing the folate-dependent production of precursors for DNA synthesis and methylation (e.g. purines, pyrimidines, S-adenosylmethionine), and the production of NADPH that further supports glutathione production, important in redox balance and growth under hypoxic conditions [3,4].