title: The biochemistry of heme biosynthesis.
abstract: Heme is an integral part of proteins involved in multiple electron transport chains for energy recovery found in almost all forms of life. Moreover, heme is a cofactor of enzymes including catalases, peroxidases, cytochromes of the P(450) class and part of sensor molecules. Here the step-by-step biosynthesis of heme including involved enzymes, their mechanisms and detrimental health consequences caused by their failure are described. Unusual and challenging biochemistry including tRNA-dependent reactions, radical SAM enzymes and substrate derived cofactors are reported.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microbiology, Technical University of Braunschweig, Spielmannstr. 7, D-38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
authors.forename: Ilka U
authors.initials: IU
authors.lastname: Heinemann
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jahn
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jahn
mesh_terms: D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D001105:Archaea / Q000378:metabolism; D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism; D006418:Heme / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D006540:Herbicides; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism; D011164:Porphyrias / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012343:RNA, Transfer / Q000378:metabolism; D045725:Tetrapyrroles / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D006540:Herbicides; D045725:Tetrapyrroles; D006418:Heme; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid; D012343:RNA, Transfer