Heme Oxygenase 1 (HO-1) is an enzyme in endoplasmic reticulum that belongs to the heme oxygenase family. HO-1 cleaves the heme ring at the alpha methene bridge to form Biliverdin. Biliverdin is subsequently converted to Bilirubin by Biliverdin reductase. In physiological state, the highest activity of HO-1 is found in the spleen, where senescent erythrocytes are sequestrated and destroyed. HO-1 activity is highly inducible by its substrate heme and by various non-heme substances such as heavy metals, bromobenzene, endotoxin, oxidizing agents and UVA. HO-1 is involved in the regulation of cardiovascular function and response to a variety of stressors. Defects in HO-1 are the cause of Heme Oxygenase 1 deficiency, resulting in marked erythrocyte fragmentation and intravascular hemolysis, coagulation abnormalities, endothelial damage, and iron deposition in renal and hepatic tissues.
