该基因编码的蛋白质催化5,10-亚甲基四氢叶酸转化为5-甲基四氢叶酸酯，这是同型半胱氨酸再甲基化为蛋氨酸的共基质。该基因的遗传变异影响对闭塞性血管病、神经管缺陷、结肠癌和急性白血病的易感性，该基因的突变与亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶缺乏有关。
The protein encoded by this gene catalyzes the conversion of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, a co-substrate for homocysteine remethylation to methionine. Genetic variation in this gene influences susceptibility to occlusive vascular disease, neural tube defects, colon cancer and acute leukemia, and mutations in this gene are associated with methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency.