Multiple regulatory steps in erythroid heme biosynthesis.

Current models for regulation of heme synthesis during erythropoiesis propose that the first enzyme of the pathway, 5-aminolevulinate synthase (ALAS), is the rate-limiting enzyme. We have examined cellular porphyrin excretion in differentiating murine erythroleukemia cells to determine in situ rate-limiting steps in heme biosynthesis. The data demonstrate that low levels of coproporphyrin and protoporphyrin accumulate in the culture medium under normal growth conditions and that during erythroid differentiation the level of excretion of coproporphyrin increases approximately 100-fold. Iron supplementation lowered, but did not eliminate, porphyrin accumulation. While ALAS induction is necessary for increased heme synthesis, these data indicate that other enzymes, in particular coproporphyrinogen oxidase, represent down-stream rate-limiting steps.