24-heme.pptVIP

Synthesis of Heme Heme is the prosthetic group of hemoglobin, myoglobin, cytochromes. Heme is an asymmetric molecule. E.g., note the positions of methyl side chains around the ring system. The heme ring system is synthesized from glycine succinyl-CoA. Using isotopic tracers, it was initially found that N C atoms of heme are derived from glycine and acetate. It was later determined that the labeled acetate enters Krebs Cycle as acetyl-CoA, and the labeled carbon becomes incorporated into succinyl-CoA, the more immediate precursor of heme. Heme synthesis begins with condensation of glycin