Abstract 1764 Uncovering the role of protein structure and dynamics in the regulation of heme biosynthesis

Heme is a critical biomolecule that carries out several functions in nearly all life forms, including humans where its most widely known role is mediating oxygen transport in the blood. Heme production must be tightly controlled as alterations in cellular heme levels can lead to multiple diseases. The first and rate-limiting enzyme controlling heme biosynthesis is aminolevulinic acid synthase (ALAS). ALAS is conserved in α-proteobacteria and non-plant eukaryotes; however, there are several unique regions observed only in eukaryotic ALAS enzymes in which alterations have pathological consequences.