5-aminolevulinate synthase: catalysis of the first step of heme biosynthesis.

5-Aminolevulinate synthase is a homodimeric pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the first step of the heme biosynthetic pathway in animals, fungi, and the alpha-subclass of the photosynthetic purple bacteria. The reaction cycle involves condensation of glycine with succinyl-coenzyme A to yield 5-aminolevulinate, carbon dioxide, and CoA. Mutations in the human erythroid-specific aminolevulinate synthase gene are associated with the erythropoietic disorder X-linked sideroblastic anemia. Recent kinetic and crystallographic data have facilitated an unprecedented understanding of how this important enzyme produces 5-aminolevulinate, and suggest possible directions for future research that may lead to treatments not only for X-linked sideroblastic anemia, but also other diseases.