Protoporphyrin

Protoporphyrins are tetrapyrroles containing the following side chains:

Protoporphyrin IX is a biochemical widely used as a carrier molecule for divalent cations. Together with iron (Fe 2+) the body of the heme- group of hemoglobin, myoglobin and many other heme-containing enzymes like cytochrome c and catalase are formed. Complexed with magnesium-ions (Mg 2+) the main part of the Chlorophylls are formed. Complexed with zinc-ions (Zn 2+) it forms Zinc protoporphyrin.

The number (e.g. IX) indicates the position of different side chains, but historically, as the nomenclature has grown, it has done so systematically only in parts.

Protoporphyrin IX as a direct precursor of heme is accumulated by patients of erythropoietic protoporphyria, which is one of the genetic disorders of the biosynthesis of the heme -pathway. It causes a severe photosensivity against visible light.

The sensitivity of protoporphyrin IX against light is also used as a therapy against different forms of cancer (photodynamic therapy, PDT).

Protoporphyrins are deposited in the shells of the eggs of some birds as a brown or red pigment, either as a ground colour or as spotting. This occurs in most passerine species, some ground-nesting non-passerines, such as waders, gulls, nightjars and sandgrouse, where it provides camouflage, and some parasitic cuckoos, which need to mimic their passerine hosts' eggs.

Protoporphyrins strengthen the egg shell, and are deposited where the shell is too thin as a result of calcium shortage. Spotting therefore tend to be heavier where the local soil is calcium-deficient, and in the eggs laid last in a clutch.

External links

Protoporphyrins at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
CID 4971 from PubChem - protoporphyrin IX

Types of tetrapyrroles

Bilanes
(Linear)

Phytobilins

Phytochromobilin

Phycobilins	Phycoerythrobilin Phycocyanobilin Phycourobilin Phycoviolobilin

Macrocycle

Corrinoids

Porphyrins

Protoporphyrins	Protoporphyrin IX Heme (b, c, a, o) Zinc protoporphyrin Magnesium protoporphyrin

Phytoporphyrins	Chlorophyll c Protochlorophyllide

Reduced
porphyrins

Porphyrinogens	Uroporphyrinogen (I, III) Coproporphyrinogen (I, III) Protoporphyrinogen IX

Chlorins	Chlorophyllide (a, b) Chlorophyll (a, b) Phaeophytin (a, b) Bacteriochlorophyll c

Bacteriochlorins	Bacteriochlorophyll a

Isobacteriochlorins	Siroheme Sirohydrochlorin

Corphins	Cofactor F430

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