Aminopterin in HAT medium functions by:
Aminopterin classifies as antifolate antimetabolite structurally analogous to folic acid with pteridine ring substitution preventing enzymatic reduction. Dihydrofolate reductase normally catalyzes NADPH dependent reduction of dihydrofolate to tetrahydrofolate, central one-carbon carrier crucial for biosynthesis. Tetrahydrofolate derivatives required at two distinct steps: 10-formyl tetrahydrofolate donates formyl groups to glycinamide ribonucleotide transformylase and aminoimidazole carboxamide ribonucleotide transformylase in de novo purine pathway synthesizing inosine monophosphate precursor
Ref: Goodman & Gilman Pharmacol 13th ed DHFR antifolate; Lodish MBoC 9th ed Fig 7-32 aminopterin blocks de novo purine thymidylate.