Iron: Biosynthesis and Significance of Heme

G. O. Latunde-Dada*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Heme exists as a prosthetic group in numerous enzymes and other hemeproteins, with which it is involved in oxygen transport and storage, electron transfer reactions, detoxification of xenobiotics, signal transduction, and transcriptional, translational, and microRNA gene regulation. Heme biosynthesis comprises multistep enzymatic reactions in both the mitochondria and the cytosol, whereas heme catabolism by heme oxygenase recycles iron and produces carbon monoxide and bilirubin. Excess heme is potent and toxic and has the propensity to activate oxidative stress and inflammatory processes. Haptoglobin, hemopexin, and albumin scavenge and sequester excess toxic hemoglobin and heme from the circulation. Biogenesis, biodegradation, and heme trafficking are regulated to maintain homeostasis.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEncyclopedia of Food and Health
PublisherElsevier Inc.
Pages452-460
Number of pages9
ISBN (Electronic)9780123849533
ISBN (Print)9780123849472
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 22 Sept 2015

Keywords

  • ABCG2
  • Anemia
  • Erythrophagocytosis
  • Erythropoiesis
  • FLVCR
  • Haptoglobin
  • Heme
  • Heme oxygenase
  • Hemeproteins
  • Hemoglobin
  • Hemopexin
  • HRG1
  • Porphyria
  • δ-Aminolevulinate

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