Heme (iron protoporphyrin IX) is a prosthetic group for a number of hemoproteins in different tissues (e.g., hemoglobin, myoglobin, cytochrome P-450s, mitochondrial cytochromes, catalases, and peroxidases). Mutations in the biosynthetic pathway can affect the synthesis and/or degradation of heme. Several assays are provided in this unit for quantifying heme: a spectrophotometric assay based on the characteristic absorption spectrum of oxidized and reduced form of the hemochrome formed by replacing the nitrogen ligands with pyridine; a fluorescence assay based on removal of the iron by a heated, strong oxalic acid solution to produce fluorescent protoporphyrin; a reversed-phase HPLC assay to measure heme and intermediates in the synthetic pathway; and a radiometric assay to measure newly synthesized heme in tissue culture cells.

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In the present study we have investigated the putative requirement for the cytochrome P-450 isoform CYP1A2 in murine uroporphyria, by comparing Cyp1a2(-/-) knockout mice with Cyp1a2(+/+) wild-type mice. Uroporphyria was produced by injecting animals with iron-dextran and giving the porphyrin precursor 5-aminolaevulinic acid in the drinking water. Some animals also received 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) to induce hepatic CYP1A2. In both protocols, uroporphyria was elicited by these treatments in the Cyp1a2(+/+) wild-type mice, but not in the null mutant mice. Uroporphyrinogen oxidation activity in hepatic microsomes from untreated Cyp1a2(+/+) mice was 2.5-fold higher than in Cyp1a2(-/-) mice. Treatment with MC increased hepatic CYP1A1 in both mouse lines and hepatic CYP1A2 only in the Cyp1a2(+/+) line, as determined by Western immunoblotting. MC increased hepatic ethoxy- and methoxy-resorufin O-dealkylase activities in both mouse lines, but increased uroporphyrinogen oxidation activity in the Cyp1a2(+/+) wild-type mice only. These results indicate the absolute requirement for hepatic CYP1A2 in causing experimental uroporphyria under the conditions used.

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