Coproporphyria breakthrough made

HOUSTON, Oct 7, 2005 (UPI via COMTEX) -- University of Texas Medical School researchers in Houston have found the structure of an enzyme that when defective causes an inherited disease.

Coproporphyria afflicts sufferers with severe abdominal pain, psychiatric symptoms, skin fragility and light sensitivity, according to study senior author C.S. Raman, an assistant professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

"Unless prompt and appropriate treatment is given, hereditary coproporphyria can very quickly turn into a life-threatening medical emergency," said Raman. "There will be no life without heme, so it is important to understand how this molecule is produced and utilized."

Heme, an essential molecule that gives blood its distinctive red color, also helps hemoglobin in red blood cells transport oxygen to tissues.

The findings were presented in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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