Background information
Ferrochelatase catalyzes the insertion of the ferrous form of iron into protoporphyrin IX in the heme synthesis pathway, and is localised in the mitochondrion. Defects in ferrochelatase are associated with protoporphyria. Two transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. Porphyrias are a group of inherited or acquired disorders of certain enzymes in the heme biosynthetic pathway (also called porphyrin pathway). They are broadly classified as hepatic porphyrias or erythropoietic porphyrias, based on the site of the overproduction and mainly accumulation of the porphyrins (or their chemical precursors). They manifest with either skin problems, or neurological complications, or occasionally both.
