Wk 1 Heme Metabolism Flashcards
How is heme synthesized?
- In mitochondria: Glycine + Succinyl-CoA = δ-ALA (Amino-Levulinic Acid)
-Catalyzed by ALA synthase (rate-limiting enzyme)
-req’s pyridoxal-phosphate (vt B6) to activate glycine - ALA goes into cytosol:
ALA dehydratase (ALAD, aka porphobilinogen synthase) dimerizes 2xALA-> porphobilinogen (a pyrrole ring)
-ALAD req’s zinc (Zn2+)
How is heme degraded?
What is heme?
A porphyrin w/ a ferrous (Fe2+) iron in the center
How do forms of heme differ from each other?
the porphyrin side chains
What are 3 forms of heme in humans?
heme b - in Hb and myoglobin for O2 delivery
heme a and c are components of cytochromes in mitochondrial respiratory chain, cytochrome P450 detoxification enzymes (CYP450s) and some other enzymes
Which intermediates in heme synthesis and degradation are colored?
- Those that end in -in (eg bilirubin) are colored
- Those that end in -ogen (eg porphobilinogen are colorless
Where is heme produced?
In all cells with mitochondria, but BM and liver are the biggest producers
What is heme b made from?
The AA glycine and the TCA cycle intermediate succinyl- CoA with iron added in the final step
Where is heme made?
1st and last steps occur in the mitochondria, intermediary steps in the cytosol
What do deficiencies in heme cause?
Anemia or a group of unusual diseases called porphyrias (Gr for purpled pigment) that can be acquired or inherited
What is the first reaction in heme biosynthesis?
Need δ-ALA (Amino-Levulinic Acid):
In the mitochondria,
condensation of 1 glycine and 1 succinyl-CoA by vitamin B6, which requires ALAS (enzyme) to form gamma-aminolevulinic acid
= the committed step for biosynthesis of heme
What happens with vitamin B6 deficiency?
Prevents adequate heme synthesis -> microcytic hypochromic anemia
What happens when there is sufficient iron but insufficient protoporphyrin?
Excess iron accumulates in lysosomes or mitochondria -> formation of siderosomes (sideroblastic anemia)
What is X-linked sideroblastic anemia caused by?
Pathogenic variants of ALAS2 w/ reduced activity (the enzyme required by vitamin B6 in the biosynthesis of heme)
-some of the variants can be suppressed by pharmacologic doses of vit B6
What happens during (2nd step) heme biosynthesis after ALA is formed?
Need a pyrrole ring:
ALA leaves mitochondria into cytosol
ALA dehydratase (ALAD, AKA porphobilinogen synthase) dimerizes: ALA + ALA => porphobilinogen (a pyrrole ring)
-inhibited by lead (Pb)
What do pathogenic variants in the ALA gene result in?
Autosomal recessive hepatic porphyria
What is step 3 of heme biosynthesis?
Need 4 pyrrole rings:
condensation of 4x porphobilinogen => hydroxymethylbilane (Pre-uroporphyrinogen) (1st porphyrin in pathway - absorbs light and causes photosensitivity), which is 4 pyrrole rings (tetrapyrrole intermediate) arranged linearly
-By Porphobilinogen Deaminase (PBG deaminase, aka Hydroxymethylbilane synthase)
What are the effects of lead in heme biosynthesis?
Lead (Pb) inhibits 2 enzymes in the process:
1. ALA dehydratase
2. ferrochelatase
both -> buildup of ALA -> pathologic effects
Step 4 of heme biosynthesis?
Need a porphyrin ring:
Hydroxymethylbilane => Uroporphyrinogen III
Cyclization or ring closure by Uroporphyrinogen III synthase (UROS)
What happens when there are defects in the PBG deaminase gene?
Autosomal dominant hepatic porphyria called Acute Intermittent Porphyria
-symptoms: acute bouts of severe abdominal pain (neurologic) and psychological distress