Studies on haem α-methenyl oxygenase. Isomeric structure of formylbiliverdin, a possible precursor of biliverdin

Abstract

The enzyme from guinea-pig liver that degrades pyridine-hemochromogen into formylbiliverdin, a possible percursor of biliverdin, breaks the porphyrin ring exclusively at the [alpha]-methene bridge. The enzyme is therefore appropriately named haem [alpha]-methenyl oxygenase. It is deduced that this enzyme plays an essential role in hemoglobin catabolism in vivo.