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Title: What is the metabolic relationship between haemoglobin synthesis and folic acid Post by: biolove on Nov 17, 2010 Folic acid deficiency, believed to be the most common vitamin deficiency, causes a type of anemia in which haemoglobin synthesis is impaired and erythrocytes do not mature properly. What is the metabolic relationship between haemoglobin synthesis and folic acid deficiency?
Title: Re: What is the metabolic relationship between haemoglobin synthesis and folic acid Post by: bio_man on Nov 17, 2010 We know that hemoglobin is contains heme. Heme is derived from catalytic reaction performed by the protein ferrochelatase where it incorporates an iron ion (Fe2+) into protoporphyrin. The precursor for protoporphyrin is porphobilinogen, which is produced via the amino acid glycine and succinyl-coA. Glycine belongs to the serine family of amino acids. In order for serine to be produced from its precursor glycerol-3-phosphate, tetrahydrofolate (THF) is a required cofactor for the enzyme that drives this reaction my acting as a methyl carrier – THF is derived from a vitamin B6. Interestingly, pyridoxal phosphate and biotin are also vit. B6 derivatives. Serine also gives rise to glycine using an enzyme that also required THF. Therefore, without sufficient amounts of folate in one’s diet, haemoglobin synthesis could be impaired due to a lack of glycine and or serine.
SUCCINYL-COA + GLYCINE --> AMINOLEVULINATE ? PORPHOBILINOGEN --> PROTOPORPHYRIN --> HEME [VIA FERROCHELATASE AND FE2+]. Make sense? |