Heme transporter

A Heme transporter is a protein which delivers heme to the various parts of a biological cell that require it. Heme is a major source of dietary iron in humans and other mammals, and its synthesis in the body is well understood, however heme pathways are not as well understood. It is likely that heme is tightly regulated for two reasons: the toxic nature of iron in cells, and the lack of a regulated excretory system for excess iron. Understanding heme pathways is therefore important in understanding diseases such as hemachromatosis and anemia. rdf:langString