Heme oxygenase-1: from biology to therapeutic potential.
Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a stress-responsive enzyme that catabolizes free heme into carbon monoxide, iron (which induces the expression of heavy-chain ferritin, an iron-sequestering protein) and biliverdin (which is converted to bilirubin by biliverdin reductase). Over the past few years it has become apparent that these 'arms' of the HO-1 system can act protectively in a variety of experimental models of disease; there is also evidence that HO-1 and bilirubin have protective actions in humans. Here, we present a model for the beneficial actions of the products of heme degradation, and we discuss the potential clinical applications of enhancing the HO-1 system.
Soares
Miguel P
MP
Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Rua da Quinta Grande, 60, 2780-156, Oeiras, Portugal. mpsoares@igc.gulbenkian.pt
Bach
Fritz H
FH
D000818:Animals; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000378:metabolism; D001664:Biliverdine / Q000378:metabolism; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000378:metabolism; D004194:Disease; D004790:Enzyme Induction; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D006418:Heme / Q000378:metabolism; D051547:Heme Oxygenase-1 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary
D006418:Heme; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D051547:Heme Oxygenase-1; D001664:Biliverdine; D001663:Bilirubin