Reaction: protoheme + 2 H+ = protoporphyrin + Fe2+
For diagram of reaction click here
Other name(s): ferro-protoporphyrin chelatase; iron chelatase (ambiguous); heme synthetase (ambiguous); heme synthase (ambiguous); protoheme ferro-lyase; ferrochelatase (ambiguous)
Systematic name: protoheme ferro-lyase (protoporphyrin-forming)
Comments: The enzyme catalyses the terminal step in the heme biosynthesis pathways of eukaryotes and Gram-negative bacteria. The reaction is catalysed only in the reverse direction.
Links to other databases: BRENDA, EXPASY, KEGG, MetaCyc, CAS registry number:
References:
1. Porra, R.J. and Jones, O.T. Studies on ferrochelatase. 1. Assay and properties of ferrochelatase from a pig-liver mitochondrial extract. Biochem. J. 87 (1963) 181-185. [PMID: 13972328]
2. Porra, R.J. and Jones, O.T. Studies on ferrochelatase. 2. An investigation of the role of ferrochelatase in the biosynthesis of various haem prosthetic groups. Biochem. J. 87 (1963) 186-192. [PMID: 13972329]
3. Bloomer, J.R., Hill, H.D., Morton, K.O., Anderson-Burnham, L.A. and Straka, J.G. The enzyme defect in bovine protoporphyria. Studies with purified ferrochelatase. J. Biol. Chem. 262 (1987) 667-671. [PMID: 3805002]