What is the significance of free haem in the regulation of ALA synthase?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the role of free haem in the regulation of ALA synthase, and it provides multiple choice options to evaluate its significance, focusing on whether it inhibits, enhances, has no effect, or stimulates another synthesis.
Answer
Free heme regulates ALA synthase by repressing its expression to prevent harmful heme accumulation.
Free heme negatively regulates aminolevulinic acid (ALA) synthase by repressing its gene expression, degrading its mRNA, and reducing enzyme synthesis. Excessive free heme is harmful to cells, hence its level regulates ALA synthase to avoid accumulation.
Answer for screen readers
Free heme negatively regulates aminolevulinic acid (ALA) synthase by repressing its gene expression, degrading its mRNA, and reducing enzyme synthesis. Excessive free heme is harmful to cells, hence its level regulates ALA synthase to avoid accumulation.
More Information
The regulation of ALA synthase by heme is a key control point in heme biosynthesis, ensuring that heme levels are kept in balance to prevent cellular damage due to excess free heme.
Tips
A common mistake is to overlook the negative feedback mechanism by which heme regulates ALA synthase. It’s important to remember that heme inhibits the enzyme's production and activity.
Sources
- Structural basis for dysregulation of aminolevulinic acid synthase in ... - ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Biochemistry, Heme Synthesis - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf - ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Heme-dependent Inactivation of 5-Aminolevulinate Synthase from ... - nature.com
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