The Central Role of Mitochondria in Red Blood Cells

Human_red_blood_cells

Ferrochelatase in heme biosynthesis Ferrochelatase (FECH) is an enzyme found in mitochondria that adds iron ions (Fe2+) into protoporphyrin to produce heme (Figure 1). This biochemical reaction is critical for cell health.  The process is tightly controlled so that cells produce the amount of heme needed and do not accumulate too much of the heme … Read more