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Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Measurement of Heme Synthesis Levels in Mammalian Cells
Published on: July 9, 2015
The biochemistry of heme biosynthesis
Ilka U Heinemann1, Martina Jahn, Dieter Jahn
1Institute of Microbiology, Technical University of Braunschweig, Spielmannstr. 7, D-38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
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.
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