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Heme biosynthesis in prokaryotes.

Gunhild Layer1

  • 1Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Institut für Pharmazeutische Wissenschaften, Stefan-Meier-Strasse 19, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta. Molecular Cell Research
|September 25, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Heme, essential for respiration and photosynthesis, is biosynthesized through three distinct pathways. This review details these routes, focusing on two newly discovered prokaryotic heme biosynthesis pathways.

Keywords:
Coproporphyrin-dependent pathwayHeme bHeme d(1)Protoporphyrin-dependent pathwaySiroheme-dependent pathwayTetrapyrrole

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Heme is a vital prosthetic group in proteins across nearly all organisms.
  • It plays a crucial role in essential biochemical processes like respiration and photosynthesis.
  • Heme is typically synthesized from 5-aminolevulinic acid.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the known heme biosynthesis pathways.
  • To highlight the diversity of heme biosynthesis in prokaryotes.
  • To focus on the two recently elucidated alternative prokaryotic pathways.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of heme biosynthesis.
  • Comparative analysis of eukaryotic and prokaryotic pathways.
  • Emphasis on the final elucidation of bacterial and archaeal routes.

Main Results:

  • Heme biosynthesis is conserved in eukaryotes.
  • Prokaryotes exhibit greater diversity, with two additional pathways.
  • The final details of these alternative pathways were clarified recently.

Conclusions:

  • There are three known heme biosynthesis pathways.
  • Prokaryotic heme biosynthesis is more varied than previously assumed.
  • Understanding these diverse pathways is crucial for microbiology and biochemistry.