Biochemistry: Cysteine and Uroporphobilinogen
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Questions and Answers

What are the two building blocks needed for the synthesis of δ-aminolevulinic acid (Δ ALA)?

  • Glutamate and oxaloacetate
  • Alanine and acetyl CoA
  • Tyrosine and malonyl CoA
  • Glycine and succinyl CoA (correct)
  • What is the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of heme?

  • δ-Aminolevulinate (ALA) Synthase (correct)
  • Uroporphyrinogen Decarboxylase
  • Hemoglobinase
  • Porphobilinogen Synthase
  • Which coenzyme is required for the reaction catalyzed by ALA Synthase?

  • NADH
  • Pyridoxal phosphate (correct)
  • Coenzyme A
  • FAD
  • What happens to heme when porphyrin production exceeds the availability of globin?

    <p>It accumulates and is converted to hemin.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the enzyme δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase?

    <p>To dehydrate two molecules of ALA to form porphobilinogen.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which metal is a cofactor required for δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase activity?

    <p>Cu++</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor aids in the control of heme synthesis in erythroid cells?

    <p>Erythropoietin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What inhibits the transcription of ALA Synthase?

    <p>Heme and hemin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of porphyria is characterized by the accumulation of porphyrins and symptoms such as cutaneous symptoms and colored urine?

    <p>Porphyria cutanea Tarda</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following conditions can influence the clinical expression of Porphyria cutanea Tarda?

    <p>Exposure to sunlight</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Acute hepatic porphyrias can lead to an accumulation of which substances?

    <p>ALA and porphobilinogens</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does ascorbic acid play in heme synthesis?

    <p>It acts as a reducing agent.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following porphyrias has its clinical onset typically during the fourth or fifth decade of life?

    <p>Porphyria cutanea Tarda</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What mineral inserts into protoporphyrin IX when there is iron deficiency?

    <p>Zinc (Zn2+)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary site of heme synthesis in the body?

    <p>Liver and erythroid progenitor cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which symptom is NOT associated with acute hepatic porphyrias?

    <p>Cutaneous symptoms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the approximate daily turnover of hemoglobin in the body?

    <p>6 g/day</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which drug is indicated to precipitate symptoms in acute hepatic porphyrias?

    <p>Barbiturates</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which reduction agent is specifically mentioned as needed in the reaction concerning heme synthesis?

    <p>Cysteine</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What deficiency is associated with Chronic Porphyria, specifically Porphyria cutanea Tarda?

    <p>Uroporphyrinogen Decarboxylase</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT classified as an acute porphyria?

    <p>Porphyria cutanea Tarda</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about lead (Pb2+) is true regarding its effect on heme synthesis?

    <p>It acts as a competitive inhibitor of Fe2+.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of solubilizing the porphyrin ring during heme degradation?

    <p>To allow for excretion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of heme destined for degradation comes from red blood cells?

    <p>85%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primarily causes obstructive jaundice?

    <p>Obstruction of the bile duct</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following indicates hepatocellular jaundice?

    <p>Increased unconjugated bilirubin levels in blood</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which symptom is commonly associated with obstructive jaundice?

    <p>Nausea and gastrointestinal pain</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can result from untreated elevated bilirubin levels in newborns?

    <p>Toxic encephalopathy (kernicterus)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a patient with hepatocellular jaundice, which lab findings are expected?

    <p>Elevated plasma levels of AST and ALT</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the treatment of jaundice in newborns work?

    <p>By converting bilirubin to more polar isomers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic feature of obstructive jaundice in terms of stool color?

    <p>Pale, clay-colored stools</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about bilirubin metabolism in newborns is true?

    <p>Hepatic bilirubin glucuronyl transferase activity is low at birth</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the first product formed from the degradation of heme?

    <p>Biliverdin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What compound does bilirubin primarily bind to for transport in plasma?

    <p>Albumin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What enzyme is primarily responsible for the reduction of biliverdin to bilirubin?

    <p>Biliverdin reductase</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which process increases the solubility of bilirubin in the hepatocyte?

    <p>Conjugation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the liver, which specific protein does bilirubin bind to after dissociating from albumin?

    <p>Ligandin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a consequence of anionic drugs displacing bilirubin from albumin?

    <p>Potential neural damage in infants</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does UDP-glucuronic acid play in the formation of bilirubin diglucuronide?

    <p>It serves as the glucuronate donor.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What intermediate reflects the varying colors of a bruise during heme degradation?

    <p>Biliverdin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Heme Synthesis and Degradation Overview

    • Heme synthesis starts with the condensation of glycine and succinyl CoA to form δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), catalyzed by ALA synthase, the rate-limiting enzyme.
    • Pyridoxal phosphate is required as a coenzyme for ALA synthase.
    • Heme and hemin inhibit ALA synthase allosterically and repress its transcription.
    • Heme accumulation occurs when porphyrin production exceeds globin availability, leading to conversion to hemin.

    Stage 1: Synthesis of δ-aminolevulinic acid (Delta ALA)

    • Carbon and nitrogen for porphyrin come from glycine and succinyl CoA, forming ALA via ALA synthase.
    • ALA synthase is the key regulatory enzyme for heme synthesis.

    Stage 2: Formation of Porphobilinogen

    • Dehydration of two ALA molecules forms porphobilinogen, catalyzed by δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase, which is a Zn-containing enzyme needing Cu++ as a cofactor.
    • Ascorbic acid and cysteine are required as reducing agents for this reaction.
    • Lead inhibits this process by competing with Fe2+ but does not integrate into protoporphyrin IX.
    • Iron deficiency leads to the formation of zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP), a clinical indicator.

    Heme Synthesis Location and Process

    • Heme synthesis occurs in liver and erythroid cells of the bone marrow due to the prosthetic group requirement.
    • Approximately 6 g of hemoglobin is turnover daily, leading to heme degradation.

    Heme Degradation

    • Heme is degraded by the microsomal heme oxygenase system, producing biliverdin, which is then reduced to bilirubin.
    • The conversion processes involve the oxidation of ferrous iron to ferric iron and cleavage of the porphyrin ring.
    • Bilirubin is poorly soluble in plasma, requiring transport via albumin to the liver.

    Bilirubin Metabolism

    • In the liver, bilirubin is conjugated with glucuronic acid to enhance solubility, catalyzed by bilirubin glucuronyltransferase.
    • Conjugated bilirubin is more easily excreted than unconjugated bilirubin.

    Jaundice Types

    • Unconjugated Jaundice: Inability to conjugate bilirubin leads to its increased levels in the blood, causing jaundice.
    • Obstructive Jaundice: Results from bile duct obstruction (tumors or gallstones), leading to pale stools and increased unconjugated bilirubin levels.
    • Hepatocellular Jaundice: Caused by liver damage, resulting in increased unconjugated bilirubin due to decreased conjugation.

    Neonatal Jaundice

    • Newborns, particularly premature infants, often experience elevated bilirubin due to immature liver enzyme activity.
    • High bilirubin levels can lead to kernicterus; treatment involves phototherapy to convert bilirubin into soluble forms.

    Classification of Porphyrias

    • Acute Porphyrias: Include ALA Dehydratase Deficiency Porphyria, Acute Intermittent Porphyria, Hereditary Coproporphyria, and Variegate Porphyria, characterized by acute symptoms.
    • Chronic Porphyrias: Include Porphyria cutanea tarda, Congenital Erythropoietic Porphyria, and Erythropoietic Protoporphyria.

    Key Factors in Chronic Porphyrias

    • Porphyria cutanea tarda is the most common, influenced by hepatic iron overload, sunlight exposure, and infections (hepatitis B/C or HIV).
    • Symptoms typically manifest in adulthood, leading to porphyrin accumulation and altered urine coloration.

    Acute Hepatic Porphyrias

    • Characterized by acute attacks of gastrointestinal, neurologic, and cardiovascular symptoms, often triggered by medications (e.g., barbiturates and ethanol).

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    Description

    Explore the intricate details of biochemical processes involving cysteine and uroporphobilinogen. This quiz covers key concepts, active sites, and rate-limiting steps essential for understanding these compounds in metabolic pathways.

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