unreviewed

Ferrochelatase (FECH)

1 reactions · 1 pathways

Cofactors used

Fe2+ · Iron Heme/cytochrome · Iron

Clinical / pharmacological. Erythropoietic protoporphyria; also inhibited by lead

What it does, reaction by reaction

1 reactions

Heme Biosynthesis (Porphyrin Pathway) Amino Acid & Nitrogen Metabolism · Mitochondrion + cytosol

step 8 Irreversible

Protoporphyrin IX + Fe²⁺ → heme (protoheme IX) + 2 H⁺

Converts Protoporphyrin IX Fe2+ into Heme (protoheme IX) H+

› Notes

Ferrochelatase (FECH) inserts ferrous iron into protoporphyrin IX on the matrix side of the inner mitochondrial membrane. This final step requires bioavailable Fe²⁺ and is effectively irreversible; lead also inhibits ferrochelatase.

Showing all 1 reactions.

What accelerates and inhibits it

Regulation is pathway-specific, so each context is listed separately

1 entries

Heme Biosynthesis (Porphyrin Pathway)

Listed there as: Ferrochelatase

Accelerated by

Ferrous iron availability; intact mitochondrial iron delivery

Inhibited by

Lead; iron deficiency; FECH pathogenic variants

Hormonal control

Indirectly coupled to erythropoiesis and iron-regulatory signaling

Recent literature

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