Folates play an important role in the human metabolism. They are important for the DNA-formation, as well as for the methyl -transfer, especially for the methylation of homocysteine to methionine. The methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), the methionine synthase (MS) and the cystathionine beta synthase (CBS) are the central enzymes of the folate metabolism. Due to certain mutations, polymorphism of these enzymes may appear. The two most important polymorphism of the MTHFR are the C677T-polymorphism and the A1298C-polymorphism. For the methionine synthase, the A2756G-polymorphism is one of the most common. Mutations also appear for the CBS. These mutations may result in an increased requirement for folic acid to maintain the enzymatic activity, an increased homocysteine-level and some diseases or even malformation of the embryo.
The nematode C. elegans was first discovered 1900 and from the very be-ginning it was in the focus of research- interest. During the 60ies it was es-tablished as a model organism. Since then, the interest it gained increased enormously and it will retain its role as an important research object in the scientific future. Its similarity to the human genome is remarkable. Some homologue genes exist in C. elegans for the MTHFR, the MS and the CBS. An orthologue gene for the folate-transporter folt-1 was also found.
During experimental work of this thesis, the bodysize, life-cycles, life-span and progeny were determined and compared with investigations from the literature. Especially the differences between cultivation on NGM-plates and in liquid medium were investigated by comparing the bodysize and the life-cycles. Probable cases of deviations within the present results to the data in the literature are discussed in this work and suggestions for future improve-ments are indicated
