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Title: Biosynthesis of heme in immature erythroid cells

Journal Article · · J. Biol. Chem.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6771982

Heme formation in reticulocytes from rabbits and rodents is subject to end produce negative feedback regulation: intracellular free heme has been shown to control acquisition of transferrin iron for heme synthesis. To identify the site of control of heme biosynthesis in the human erythron, immature erythroid cells were obtained from peripheral blood and aspirated bone marrow. After incubation with human /sup 59/Fe transferrin, 2-(/sup 14/C)glycine, or 4-(/sup 14/C)delta-aminolevulinate, isotopic incorporation into extracted heme was determined. Addition of cycloheximide to increase endogenous free heme, reduced incorporation of labeled glycine and iron but not delta-aminolevulinate into cell heme. Incorporation of glycine and iron was also sensitive to inhibition by exogenous hematin. Hematin treatment rapidly diminished incorporation of intracellular /sup 59/Fe into heme by human erythroid cells but assimilation of 4-(/sup 14/C)delta-aminolevulinate into heme was insensitive to inhibition by hematin. In human erythroid cells (but not rabbit reticulocytes) pre-incubation with unlabeled delta-aminolevulinate or protoporphyrin IX greatly stimulated utilization of cell /sup 59/Fe for heme synthesis and also attenuated end product inhibition. In human erythroid cells heme biosynthesis is thus primarily regulated by feedback inhibition at one or more steps which lead to delta-aminolevulinate formation. Hence in man the regulatory process affects generation of the first committed precursor of porphyrin biosynthesis by delta-aminolevulinate synthetase, whereas in the rabbit separate regulatory mechanisms exist which control the incorporation of iron into protoporphyrin IX.

Research Organization:
Hammersmith Hospital, London (England)
OSTI ID:
6771982
Journal Information:
J. Biol. Chem.; (United States), Vol. 263:14
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English