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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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Europe PMC · fetched just now · sorted by publication date

  1. 1
    A transferrin receptor-targeted liposome for iron metabolism regulation-augmented photodynamic therapy in glioblastoma.

    Wen R, He G, Wan Y, Guo X, Xiong S, Wu Y, Wei Y, Li D, Lin J, Huang P. · 2026-09-16

    open access unreviewed
  2. 2
    Development and characterization of a topical ferrochelatase inhibitor nanoemulsion for choroidal neovascularization therapy.

    Mohapatra D, Seo SY, Corson TW. · 2026-07-17

    open access unreviewed
  3. 3
    AI-driven structure- and ligand-based discovery of novel Ferrochelatase inhibitors from heterocyclic libraries.

    Cho SC, Wang YW, Chu CA, Huang MC, Pangging M, Lee CT. · 2026-07-25

    unreviewed
  4. 4
    ATPIF1, the rheostat in mitochondrial bioenergetics and dysfunction in diseases.

    Huang J, Xue C, Li H, Wu Y, Wei Q. · 2026-06-27

    unreviewed
  5. 5
    Dynamic alterations in labile heme levels and heme biosynthesis during inflammatory activation of macrophages.

    Jin Y, Pradhan P, Liang H, Nakagiri T, Mueller S, Foresti R, Motterlini R, Hirayama T, Immenschuh S. · 2026-07-16

    open access unreviewed
  6. 6
    The p53–p21–Cyclin D2 regulatory axis drives metabolic reprogramming and a distinct senescent macrophage senotype during aging and MASLD

    · 2026-09-28

    open access unreviewed
  7. 7
    Bilirubin and the Yellow Players in Ferroptosis: A Delicate Balance in Human Health and Disease, with a Focus on the Liver, Cardiovascular System, and Brain.

    Dalla Verde C, Vitek L, Tiribelli C, Gazzin S. · 2026-09-21

    open access unreviewed
  8. 8
    Inherited microcytic anemias due to disorders of iron and heme metabolism: An updated clinical review

    Makis A, Saougou I, Hatzimichael E. · 2026-09-01

    open access unreviewed
  9. 9
    Guidelines on the Use of Therapeutic Apheresis in Clinical Practice-Evidence-Based Approach From the Writing Committee of the American Society for Apheresis: The Tenth Special Issue.

    Zantek ND, Alquist CR, Hofmann JC, Klingel R, Levenbrown Y, Onwuemene OA, Patidar G, Patriquin CJ, Raval JS, … · 2026-09-01

    unreviewed
  10. 10
    A Tarui Disease Phenotype with Compensated Hemolysis and a Homozygous <i>PFKM</i> Variant of Uncertain Significance Mimicking Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia.

    Neculcea AC, Aanicai R, Massoto B, Nistor RI, Fierbințeanu-Braticevici C, Mambet C, Mititelu A, Neagu AM, Par… · 2026-09-07

    open access unreviewed

External claims. These come from an index outside this database and are not checked against it. Treat them as leads.