Chem Path: Porphyrias Flashcards
What is porphyrias?
Deficiencies in enzymes of the haem synthesis pathway, leading to an overproduction of haem intermediate toxic products
What are the 2 ways porphyrias can present?
Acute neuro-visceral attacks
Cutaneous symptoms
What is haem?
Fe core with 4 pyrrolic rings around it with double bonds
Carries oxygen
Good for redox reactions
What is a key difference between haem and its precursors
Precursors do not have double bonds between the rings
Which cells does porphyrias affect the most?
Erythroid cells and liver cytochromes
Why is cytochrome crucial?
It is needed for the electron transport chain in the mitochondria
What starts the haem synthesis pathway in the mitochondria?
Succinyl CoA + Glycine = 5 ALA by ALA synthase
What is step 2 in the haem synthesis pathway?
5 ALA leaves the mitochondria and is converted to PBG via PBG synthase
What is step 3 in the haem synthesis pathway?
PBG is converted to HMB by HMB synthase
What is step 4 in the haem synthesis pathway?
HMB is converted to Uroporphyrinogen 3 if Uroporphyrinogen synthase is present. Otherwise it turns into Uroporphyrinogen 1
What is step 5 in the haem synthesis pathway?
Uroporhyrinogen 3 is converted to coproporphyrinogen 3
What is step 6 in the haem synthesis pathway?
coproporphyrinogen 3 enters the mitochondria and is converted to protoporphyrinogen 9
What is step 7 in the haem synthesis pathway?
protoporphyrinogen 9 is converted to protoporhyrin 9
What is step 8 in the haem synthesis pathway?
protoporhyrin 9 is converted to Haem by ferrochetalase
If no Fe present at this stage, you get metal free protoporhyrin or zinc protoporhyrin
What are the 2 principle sites of enzyme deficiency?
Erythroid
Hepatic
What are the 3 types of presentations
Neurovisceral
Blistering cutaneous
Non blistering cutaneous
What gives neurovisceral/acute symptoms?
Accumulation of 5 ALA
What gives skin lesions?
Accumulation of porphyrinogens, which is oxodised to active porphyrins in UV light
What are porphyrinogens
Precursors to porphyrins
What colour are porphyrinogens
Colourless