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Porphyrin synthesis by murine epidermal cells
1Dermatology Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New York, NY 10010.
Skin Pharmacology : the Official Journal of the Skin Pharmacology Society
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Murine epidermal cells accumulate porphyrins after delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) exposure. Iron reduces this accumulation, indicating active ferrochelatase in these cells for studying skin porphyrin metabolism.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Dermatology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is a precursor in heme biosynthesis.
- Porphyrins are intermediates in heme synthesis that can accumulate pathologically.
- Ferrochelatase is the final enzyme in heme synthesis, inserting iron into protoporphyrin IX.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate porphyrin accumulation in murine epidermal cells treated with ALA.
- To determine the role of iron and ferrochelatase activity in this cellular model.
Main Methods:
- Incubation of murine epidermal cells with varying doses and times of ALA.
- Measurement of porphyrin accumulation, with a focus on protoporphyrin.
- Assessment of iron's effect on porphyrin levels and reversal by CaMg EDTA.
Main Results:
- ALA induced a dose- and time-dependent increase in porphyrin accumulation.
- Protoporphyrin was the predominant porphyrin observed.
- Iron significantly decreased porphyrin accumulation, partially reversed by CaMg EDTA.
Conclusions:
- Murine epidermal cells exhibit functionally active ferrochelatase.
- These cells serve as a valuable model for studying cutaneous porphyrin metabolism.
- Understanding ferrochelatase activity is crucial for conditions involving porphyrin dysregulation.