Making and breaking heme.

Mechanisms for making and breaking the heme b cofactor (heme) are more diverse than previously expected. Biosynthetic pathways have diverged at least twice along taxonomic lines, reflecting differences in membrane organization and O utilization among major groups of organisms. At least three families of heme degradases are now known, again differing in whether and how O is used by the organism and possibly the purpose for turning over the tetrapyrrole. Understanding these enzymes and pathways offers a handle for antimicrobial development and for monitoring heme use in organismal and ecological systems.