Biomaterial Database

Hereditary coproporphyria. 1998

P Martásek

Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284-7760, USA.

Hereditary coproporphyria (HC) is a rare acute hepatic porphyria. Attacks may be precipitated by certain drugs, alcohol, infections, or low caloric intake. HC is caused by defects in the enzyme coproporphyrinogen III oxidase (copro-ox) which converts coproporphyrinogen III (coprogen) to protoporphyrinogen IX (protogen). Coprogen is made mainly in the liver and is excreted predominantly in the feces. The dramatic increase in coproporphyrin III (copro) excretion (10-200 times compared with the control value) with intensive red fluorescence under UV light is a specific and easily detectable marker for diagnosis of acute attacks of HC. HC is inherited as an autosomally dominant genetic defect. The cDNA and gene encoding copro-ox have been isolated recently and mutations have been identified, providing critical information concerning molecular heterogeneity and the potential for molecular diagnosis. In this review, we describe 10 mutations in the copro-ox gene which are spread along six exons. It is postulated that DNA analysis of gene carriers and the use of heme arginate for specific treatment will improve the care of HC patients dramatically.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009154	Mutation	Any detectable and heritable change in the genetic material that causes a change in the GENOTYPE and which is transmitted to daughter cells and to succeeding generations.	Mutations
D003304	Coproporphyrinogen Oxidase	An enzyme that catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of coproporphyrinogen III to protoporphyrinogen IX by the conversion of two propionate groups to two vinyl groups. It is the sixth enzyme in the 8-enzyme biosynthetic pathway of HEME, and is encoded by CPO gene. Mutations of CPO gene result in HEREDITARY COPROPORPHYRIA.	Coproporphyrinogenase,Coproporphyrinogen III Oxidases,III Oxidases, Coproporphyrinogen,Oxidase, Coproporphyrinogen,Oxidases, Coproporphyrinogen III
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000595	Amino Acid Sequence	The order of amino acids as they occur in a polypeptide chain. This is referred to as the primary structure of proteins. It is of fundamental importance in determining PROTEIN CONFORMATION.	Protein Structure, Primary,Amino Acid Sequences,Sequence, Amino Acid,Sequences, Amino Acid,Primary Protein Structure,Primary Protein Structures,Protein Structures, Primary,Structure, Primary Protein,Structures, Primary Protein
D017094	Porphyrias, Hepatic	A group of metabolic diseases due to deficiency of one of a number of LIVER enzymes in the biosynthetic pathway of HEME. They are characterized by the accumulation and increased excretion of PORPHYRINS or its precursors. Clinical features include neurological symptoms (PORPHYRIA, ACUTE INTERMITTENT), cutaneous lesions due to photosensitivity (PORPHYRIA CUTANEA TARDA), or both (HEREDITARY COPROPORPHYRIA). Hepatic porphyrias can be hereditary or acquired as a result of toxicity to the hepatic tissues.	Hepatic Porphyria,Porphyria, Hepatic,Hepatic Porphyrias