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Updated: Sep 20, 2025

Measurement of Heme Synthesis Levels in Mammalian Cells
Published on: July 9, 2015
Mechanisms of heme transport in the mitochondria
Saieeda Fabia Ali1, Adrianna E White2, Amy Medlock2,3
1Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln NE 68588U.S.A.
Abstract:
Heme is a vital but highly reactive compound that is synthesized in mitochondria and subsequently distributed to a variety of subcellular compartments for utilization. The transport of heme is essential for normal cellular metabolism, growth, and development. Despite the vital importance of heme transport within the cell, data are lacking about how newly synthesized heme is shuttled within the mitochondrion or exported from the organelle. Here, we briefly summarize current knowledge about the process of mitochondrial heme distribution and discuss the current unresolved questions pertinent to this process.
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