BALB/c Fech m1Pas mice have a mutated ferrochelatase gene resulting in protoporphyria that models the hepatic injury occurring sporadically in human erythropoietic protoporphyria. We used this mouse model to study the development of the injury and to compare the dysfunction of heme synthesis with hepatic gene expression of liver metabolism, oxidative stress, and cellular injury/inflammation. From an early age expression of total cytochrome P450 and many of its isoforms was significantly lower than in wild-type mice. However, despite massive accumulation of protoporphyrin in the liver, expression of the main genes controlling heme synthesis and catabolism Heme is vital to the transport and utilization of oxygen in oxidative and signaling pathways. A large proportion of heme usage in the liver is accounted for by cytochrome P450 isoforms, many of which are associated with drug metabolism. In the final step of heme synthesis ferrous iron is inserted into the precursor porphyrin protoporphyrin IX by the mitochondrial enzyme ferrochelatase. The structure and regulation of ferrochelatase have been extensively studied.

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