Unraveling the Role of Heme in Neurodegeneration

Overview

Journal Front Neurosci

Date 2018 Oct 26

PMID 30356807

Citations 30

Authors

Deborah Chiabrando

Veronica Fiorito

Sara Petrillo

Emanuela Tolosano

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Heme (iron-protoporphyrin IX) is an essential co-factor involved in several biological processes, including neuronal survival and differentiation. Nevertheless, an excess of free-heme promotes oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, thus leading to cell death. The toxic properties of heme in the brain have been extensively studied during intracerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhages. Recently, a growing number of neurodegenerative disorders have been associated to alterations of heme metabolism. Hence, the etiology of such diseases remains undefined. The aim of this review is to highlight the neuropathological role of heme and to discuss the major heme-regulated pathways that might be crucial for the survival of neuronal cells. The understanding of the molecular mechanisms linking heme to neurodegeneration will be important for therapeutic purposes.

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