Lectures 43-63 Flashcards
describe the structure of a phophyrin ring
4 pyrrole (5-C) rings, large conjugated ring connecting all pyrroles, pocket in center surrounded by N. asymmetrical side chains coming off pyrrole rings
what is the most impt porphyrin?
heme
what is the chemical importance of the Nās inside the pocket area?
negatively-charged binding pocket, able to bind a metal ion with 2+ charge
besides heme, what are some other porphyrins?
- cobalamin (aka Vit B12) which has Co2+ in center
- chlorophyll (plants only, Mg2+ in center)
what are 4 physiological roles of heme?
- Electron transport chain
- oxygen transport in blood and muscle
- drug metabolism via cytochrome P450
- removal of H2O2 via catalase
what are the 2 precursors for heme synthesis?
Succinyl CoA (TCA precursor) and glycine (AA)
what exactly is heme?
porphyrin ring with Fe2+ ion in the center
what is the main feedback for heme synthesis?
the product (heme) inhibits the first reaction. synthesis is under āproduct feedback controlā
are there different isozymes for heme?
yes ā different versions of the enzyme exist in liver and blood
what is the first step in heme synthesis? whatās the enzyme?
succinyl CoA + glycine -> ALA. enzyme = ALA synthase
what is the committed step and the primary rate-limiting step for heme synthesis?
the first step, catalyzed by ALA synthase
what is the second rate-limiting step for heme synthesis?
the step where 4 PBGs are attached into an almost-ring structure: enzyme = hydroxymethylbilane synthase
what is unique about the structure of porphyrins that gives them interesting appearance?
a lot of conjugated double bonds -> purple color and fluoroscent
what is it called when a metal ion is added to a porphyrin ring?
chelation.
what are the sx of Acute Intermittent Porphyria?
abdominal pain, psychotic symptoms
what is the cause of AIP? (what enzyme is deficient)?
LIVER hydroxymethylbilane synthase (second rate-limiting enzyme in heme synthesis pw).
in AIP, is there increased or decreased heme? increased or decreased ALA?
- heme: decreased due to decreased flow through the pathway.
- ALA: increased because of decreased repression of pw by heme, and because there are no other metabolic pathways for ALA
what are inducers of CYP? how are they relevant to AIP and other porphyrin diseases?
inducers are alcohol/drug use (probably other things) that require heme products to metabolize them. uses up heme, result is less heme, less pathway inhibition, greater ALA buildup
why does AIP cause psych symptoms?
the structure of the ALA molecule (remember there is a buildup of ALA with AIP) is very similar to GABA. ALA antagonizes GABA by binding to its normal receptors, so you lose GABA activity (ie you lose inhibition)
how would you test for AIP?
urine test for PBG, PCR test for gene mutation
prevention and treatment for AIP?
- prevention: avoid inducers that use CYP and make things worse by further decreasing heme levels
- treatment use hemin (heme derivative) or glucose to inhibit ALA synthase
what is the major distinction between acute and chronic porphyria?
where the blockage in the pathway is: with AIP, its at the 2nd regulatory step. with chronic, itās later on, at the second to last step.
AIP: genetic or acquired?
PCT: genetic or acquired?
AIP: genetic
PCT: acquired/induced
what is PCT?
one of the most common chronic porphyrias. Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
what are some of the behaviors associated with PCT?
EtOH abuse, steroids: damage to liver cells
what is the status of heme levels with PCT?
normal, because there is both increased flux through the pathway (raising heme) and increased diversion of intermediates to side pathways
what is the dx for PCT? what about treatment?
dx: increased urine uroporphyrins (substrate prior to mutated enzyme step)
tx: periodic phlebotomy to remove heme
what is the chemical cause of the symptoms of lead poisoning?
lead inhibits the biosynthesis of porphyrins at 2 places in the pw (and in both liver and blood). because of the locations in the pw that are affected, the sx look like AIP.
what part of the pathway is affected by iron deficiency?
reduces levels of ALA synthase in blood cells
what are sx of iron deficiency anemia?
fatigue, pale thin-rimmed RBCs on blood smear
how does iron deficiency reduce levels of ALA synthase?
Fe2+ needed to bind to Iron Repression Protein (on mRNA, blocks translation) to remove it and allow translation. No iron -> IRP sits on mRNA and is not translated. note this control is present on erythrocytes only
what is notable about the degradation of heme?
it is colorful ā the various intermediates are different colors. also, it takes place in several different organs
in which organ is bilirubin conjugated?
in the liver
what is the general process of degradation of heme?
heme -> biliverdin -> bilirubin -> conjugated bilirubin -> urobilinogen -> stercobilin and urobilin
why are bruises different colors?
initially they are red (pure heme of RBCs). then macrophages enter the scene and begin at the periphery to remove heme. as macrophages digest heme, heme goes through several different oxidation states and changes color
which is water soluble, conjugated or unconjugated bilirubin?
conjugated. is conjugated in the liver, then able to be excreted via urine/feces
jaundice is a sign of what?
excess bilirubin in blood
is the presence of jaundice a problem?
no, it indicates that there is a problem somewhere
if a patient has jaundice, how will we know if the problem is over production or under degradation?
by the amounts of unconjugated v conjugated bili in the blood
very high amounts of unconjugated bili indicates that the problem is what?
hemolytic, ie sickle cell anemia or thalessemia. ie, the problem is prior to liver/conjugation
very high amounts of conjugated bili indicates what?
obstructive jaundice, ie gallstones. ie problem is after liver/conjugation
if there are increased levels of both conjugated and unconjugated bili, where is the problem likely to be? what kind of disease could cause that?
problem is likely in the liver (where conjugation occurs). disease: viral hepatitis.
what is the problem with neonatal jaundice of premature babies?
underdeveloped enzyme that converts bilirubin to conjugated bilirubin. that enzyme doesnāt typically develop until full-term. therefore will see increased unconjugated bili
How are vitamins classified?
by their solubility in water vs fat.
what are some general qualities of water-soluble vitamins?
they are usually cofactors in metabolic reactions, they are found in plants, they are usually low body stores and deficiencies appear in weeks. because they are water-soluble, they are easily excreted in urine, hence the low body stores
what is Wernickeās syndrome? what does it progress to?
brain disorder due to insufficient thiamine. Progresses to Korsakoff.
what reactions (generally) is thiamine a cofactor for?
cofactor for carbohydrate-metabolizing reactions.
in an alcoholic patient with low blood sugar, what should you always administer along with glucose?
thiamine
in the developing world, what manifestation of thiamine deficiency are you more likely to see?
Beri-beri
is Korsakoffās sx reversible?
no. Korsakoffās is end-stage Wernicke
what combination of sx suggests beriberi?
peripheral neuropathy and high-output heart failure (ie, heart is moving blood too quickly for body to keep up)
what are clinical manifestations of riboflavin deficiency?
angular fissures (mouth), dry skin, smooth, purple tongue
riboflavin is a precursor to what impt coenzymes?
FAD, FADH
niacin is a precursor to what impt coenzymes?
NAD, NADP
why is niacin an essential vitamin if we can synthesize it ourselves?
the pathway for synthesis (tryptophan -> niacin) is not efficient
what are the sx of a niacin deficiency?
the 4 Ds: dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia, death.
possibly due to poor nutrition (not consuming either niacin or its precursor, tryptophan).
What vitamin is a component of Coenzyme A?
Pantothenic Acid
what is a cofactor for enzymes that metabolize amino acids?
pyridoxine (B6)
what drug is a molecular antagonist of pyridoxine?
isoniazid (TB medication)
what vitamin binds tightly to raw eggs?
Biotin (B7)
what vitamin is involved in carboxylation reactions?
Biotin (B7)
what vitamin is critical for synthesis of purines, thymidine, and amino acids?
folate
what is the form of folate that is used in one-carbon metabolism?
THF