[HTML][HTML] From synthesis to utilization: The ins and outs of mitochondrial heme

SA Swenson, CM Moore, JR Marcero, AE Medlock… - Cells, 2020 - mdpi.com
SA Swenson, CM Moore, JR Marcero, AE Medlock, AR Reddi, O Khalimonchuk
Cells, 2020mdpi.com
Heme is a ubiquitous and essential iron containing metallo-organic cofactor required for
virtually all aerobic life. Heme synthesis is initiated and completed in mitochondria, followed
by certain covalent modifications and/or its delivery to apo-hemoproteins residing
throughout the cell. While the biochemical aspects of heme biosynthetic reactions are well
understood, the trafficking of newly synthesized heme—a highly reactive and inherently toxic
compound—and its subsequent delivery to target proteins remain far from clear. In this …
Heme is a ubiquitous and essential iron containing metallo-organic cofactor required for virtually all aerobic life. Heme synthesis is initiated and completed in mitochondria, followed by certain covalent modifications and/or its delivery to apo-hemoproteins residing throughout the cell. While the biochemical aspects of heme biosynthetic reactions are well understood, the trafficking of newly synthesized heme—a highly reactive and inherently toxic compound—and its subsequent delivery to target proteins remain far from clear. In this review, we summarize current knowledge about heme biosynthesis and trafficking within and outside of the mitochondria.
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