Anita Majda, David Aebisher and Dorota Bartusik-Aebisher
Medical College of The University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Poland

Part of the book: The Biochemical Guide to Enzymes

Abstract

ALA synthase, or aminolevulinic acid synthase (ALAS), is an enzyme that occurs naturally in the cells of our body, it is precisely present in the mitochondria. This protein is involved in the synthesis of porphyrin, which is part of the heme. Almost all living organisms need heme, which together with globin forms hemoglobin – an oxygen transporter.

Keywords: aminolevulinic acid synthase, enzyme, biochemistry

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