Regulation of heme biosynthesis and transport in metazoa

Sci China Life Sci. 2015 Aug;58(8):757-64. doi: 10.1007/s11427-015-4885-5. Epub 2015 Jun 22.

Abstract

Heme is an iron-containing tetrapyrrole that plays a critical role in regulating a variety of biological processes including oxygen and electron transport, gas sensing, signal transduction, biological clock, and microRNA processing. Most metazoan cells synthesize heme via a conserved pathway comprised of eight enzyme-catalyzed reactions. Heme can also be acquired from food or extracellular environment. Cellular heme homeostasis is maintained through the coordinated regulation of synthesis, transport, and degradation. This review presents the current knowledge of the synthesis and transport of heme in metazoans and highlights recent advances in the regulation of these pathways.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • 5-Aminolevulinate Synthetase / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Biological Transport / physiology
  • Biosynthetic Pathways*
  • Ferrochelatase / metabolism
  • Heme / biosynthesis*
  • Homeostasis / physiology*
  • Iron / metabolism
  • Oxygen / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*

Substances

  • Heme
  • Iron
  • 5-Aminolevulinate Synthetase
  • Ferrochelatase
  • Oxygen