Studies on haem alpha-methenyl oxygenase. Isomeric structure of formylbiliverdin, a possible precursor of biliverdin.
1. The enzyme from guinea-pig liver that degrades pyridine-haemochromogen into formylbiliverdin, a possible precursor of biliverdin, breaks the porphyrin ring exclusively at the alpha-methene bridge. The enzyme is therefore appropriately named haem alpha-methenyl oxygenase. 2. It is deduced that this enzyme plays an essential role in haemoglobin catabolism in vivo.
D000818:Animals; D001654:Bile Pigments / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D002854:Chromatography, Paper; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006418:Heme / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology*; D010105:Oxygenases / Q000378:metabolism*; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000032:analysis
D001654:Bile Pigments; D011758:Pyrroles; D006418:Heme; D010105:Oxygenases