Abstract
Heme is essential for the survival of most organisms, despite the fact of being potentially toxic. This dual effect is due to the ability of the iron (Fe) atom contained within the protoporphyrin ring of the heme molecule to participate in redox reactions and exchange electrons with a variety of substrates. Therefore, the pro-oxidant reactivity of heme needs to be kept under control, an effect achieved by its incorporation into the heme pockets of hemoproteins, i.e. proteins required to exert vital biological functions in which heme acts as prosthetic group. The release of heme from hemoproteins and the participation of Fe in the Fenton reaction lead to the generation of unfettered oxidative stress and programmed cell death. Although further investigations would be required to elucidate the regulation of heme in the brain, this molecule appears to be critically involved in the pathogenesis of different neurodegenerative diseases, as heme accumulation or deficiency is associated with impaired brain activity and neuronal death. Thus, the aim of this review is to provide an overview on the importance of heme in the brain and the pathophysiologic consequences associated with its accumulation.
Keywords: Heme, iron, neuronal cytotoxicity, neurodegenerative diseases.
Current Alzheimer Research
Title:The Pathophysiology of Heme in the Brain
Volume: 13 Issue: 2
Author(s): Raffaella Gozzelino
Affiliation:
Keywords: Heme, iron, neuronal cytotoxicity, neurodegenerative diseases.
Abstract: Heme is essential for the survival of most organisms, despite the fact of being potentially toxic. This dual effect is due to the ability of the iron (Fe) atom contained within the protoporphyrin ring of the heme molecule to participate in redox reactions and exchange electrons with a variety of substrates. Therefore, the pro-oxidant reactivity of heme needs to be kept under control, an effect achieved by its incorporation into the heme pockets of hemoproteins, i.e. proteins required to exert vital biological functions in which heme acts as prosthetic group. The release of heme from hemoproteins and the participation of Fe in the Fenton reaction lead to the generation of unfettered oxidative stress and programmed cell death. Although further investigations would be required to elucidate the regulation of heme in the brain, this molecule appears to be critically involved in the pathogenesis of different neurodegenerative diseases, as heme accumulation or deficiency is associated with impaired brain activity and neuronal death. Thus, the aim of this review is to provide an overview on the importance of heme in the brain and the pathophysiologic consequences associated with its accumulation.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Gozzelino Raffaella, The Pathophysiology of Heme in the Brain, Current Alzheimer Research 2016; 13 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1567205012666150921103304
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1567205012666150921103304 |
Print ISSN 1567-2050 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5828 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
New Advances in the Prevention, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Alzheimer's Disease
Aims and Scope: Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses a significant global health challenge, with an increasing prevalence that demands concerted efforts to advance our understanding and strategies for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. This thematic issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research and innovative approaches from multidisciplinary perspectives to address ...read more
Current updates on the Role of Neuroinflammation in Neurodegenerative Disorders
Neuroinflammation is an invariable hallmark of chronic and acute neurodegenerative disorders and has long been considered a potential drug target for Alzheimer?s disease (AD) and dementia. Significant evidence of inflammatory processes as a feature of AD is provided by the presence of inflammatory markers in plasma, CSF and postmortem brain ...read more
Deep Learning for Advancing Alzheimer's Disease Research
Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses a significant global health challenge, with an increasing number of individuals affected yearly. Deep learning, a subfield of artificial intelligence, has shown immense potential in various domains, including healthcare. This thematic issue of Current Alzheimer Research explores the application of deep learning techniques in advancing our ...read more
Diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers of dementia
Dementia affects 18 million people worldwide. Dementia is a syndrome of symptoms caused by brain disease, usually chronic or progressive, clinically characterized by multiple impairments of higher cortical functions such as memory, thinking, orientation, and learning. In addition, in the course of dementia, cognitive deficits are observed, which often hinder ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
PLK1 Inhibition: Prospective Role for the Treatment of Pediatric Tumors
Current Drug Targets Enhanced Tolerance against Early and Late Apoptotic Oxidative Stress in Mammalian Neurons through Nicotinamidase and Sirtuin Mediated Pathways
Current Neurovascular Research Garlic and its Active Compounds: A Potential Candidate in The Prevention of Cancer by Modulating Various Cell Signalling Pathways
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Snake Venom Proteins and Peptides as Novel Antibiotics Against Microbial Infections
Current Proteomics NAMPT in Regulated NAD Biosynthesis and its Pivotal Role in Human Metabolism
Current Medicinal Chemistry Targeting Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Neuroblastoma
Current Angiogenesis (Discontinued) New Approaches With Natural Product Drugs for Overcoming Multidrug Resistance in Cancer
Current Pharmaceutical Design Deleted in Colorectal Cancer (DCC) Pathfinding: Axon Guidance Gene Finally Turned Tumor Suppressor
Current Drug Targets Nampt/Visfatin/PBEF: A Functionally Multi-faceted Protein with a Pivotal Role in Malignant Tumors
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Renin-Angiotensin System in the Mammalian Central Nervous System
Current Protein & Peptide Science MAPKs and Their Inhibitors in Neuronal Differentiation
Current Enzyme Inhibition Unique Medicinal Properties of Withania somnifera: Phytochemical Constituents and Protein Component
Current Pharmaceutical Design Stem Cells: In Sickness and in Health
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy The Cannabinoid CB2 Receptor as a Target for Inflammation-Dependent Neurodegeneration
Current Neuropharmacology Transferrin and the Transferrin Receptor: Of Magic Bullets and Other Concerns
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) Reactivity-Based Drug Discovery Using Vitamin B6-Derived Pharmacophores
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Cytotoxic Effect of the Red Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) Extract Compared to Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) in the Human Prostate (PC-3) and Breast (MCF-7) Cancer Cell Lines
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry ChemoImmunoModulation: Immune Regulation by the Antineoplastic Chemotherapeutic Agents
Current Medicinal Chemistry The Small Heat Shock Protein HspB8: Role in Nervous System Physiology and Pathology
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Targeting Epigenetics in Nervous System Disease
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets