PORPHOBILINOGEN SYNTHASE Meaning and
Definition
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Porphobilinogen synthase (also known as δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase or ALAD) is an enzyme that is crucial for the biosynthesis of heme. Heme is an essential molecule that plays a vital role in various biological processes, including oxygen transport, energy production, and drug metabolism.
Porphobilinogen synthase is responsible for catalyzing the second step of the eight-step heme biosynthetic pathway. It facilitates the transformation of two molecules of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) into a linear tetrapyrrole compound called porphobilinogen. This reaction occurs through the formation of a Schiff base intermediate, which subsequently undergoes a condensation reaction.
The activity of porphobilinogen synthase is crucial for maintaining proper heme production and is tightly regulated in the body. Deficiencies or mutations in this enzyme may lead to a group of genetic disorders called porphyrias, characterized by the accumulation of porphyrin precursors and the impaired synthesis of heme. Depending on the specific mutation or deficiency, porphobilinogen synthase-related porphyrias can lead to various symptoms, including cutaneous photosensitivity, neurologic manifestations, and abdominal pain.
Studies on porphobilinogen synthase have provided valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying heme biosynthesis and porphyria pathogenesis. Additionally, this enzyme has been an attractive target for pharmacological interventions aimed at modulating heme synthesis or developing therapeutic strategies for porphyria treatment.
Common Misspellings for PORPHOBILINOGEN SYNTHASE
- oorphobilinogen synthase
- lorphobilinogen synthase
- -orphobilinogen synthase
- 0orphobilinogen synthase
- pirphobilinogen synthase
- pkrphobilinogen synthase
- plrphobilinogen synthase
- pprphobilinogen synthase
- p0rphobilinogen synthase
- p9rphobilinogen synthase
- poephobilinogen synthase
- podphobilinogen synthase
- pofphobilinogen synthase
- potphobilinogen synthase
- po5phobilinogen synthase
- po4phobilinogen synthase
- porohobilinogen synthase
- porlhobilinogen synthase
- por-hobilinogen synthase
- por0hobilinogen synthase
Etymology of PORPHOBILINOGEN SYNTHASE
The word "Porphobilinogen Synthase" has its origins in scientific terminology, particularly in the field of biochemistry and enzymology. Here is a breakdown of its etymology:
1. Porphobilinogen: Porphobilinogen is a chemical compound composed of four pyrrole rings. "Porpho-" derives from the Greek word "porphura", which means "purple". This name is due to the purple color exhibited by porphyrins, the class of compounds that porphobilinogen belongs to. "Bilin" refers to the bile pigment, which is a derivative of porphobilinogen.
2. Synthase: The suffix "-synthase" is derived from the Greek word "synthesis", meaning "to put together" or "to create".
