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Updated: Dec 27, 2025

Measurement of Heme Synthesis Levels in Mammalian Cells
Published on: July 9, 2015
From Synthesis to Utilization: The Ins and Outs of Mitochondrial Heme
Samantha A Swenson1, Courtney M Moore2, Jason R Marcero3
1Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA.
Abstract:
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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