The enzyme, which participates in a pathway for folate biosynthesis, is found in the Stramenopiles, a large group that includes oomycetes, various microalgae and brown algae, as well as in several bacterial phyla. It provides a bypass mechanism compensating for the lack of EC?4.1.2.25, dihydroneopterin aldolase. In the malaria parasite?Plasmodium falciparum?the enzyme is bifunctional and also catalyses the activity of EC?4.2.3.12, 6-pyruvoyltetrahydropterin synthase.?cf. EC?4.1.2.59, dihydroneopterin phosphate aldolase.
