Mechanisms of Heme Transport in the Mitochondria

Authors

Saieeda Fabia. Ali, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Adrianna E. White, University of Georgia
Amy Medlock, University of Georgia
Oleh Khalimonchuk, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Nebraska Redox Biology Center and Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer CenterFollow

ORCID IDs

Khalimonchuk https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3972-8678

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2025

Citation

Biochemical Society Transactions (2025) 53: 603–614

doi: 10.1042/BST20253013

Comments

Open access

License: CC BY 4.0

Abstract

Heme is a vital but highly reactive compound that is synthesized in mitochondria and subsequently distributed to a variety of subcellular compartments for utilization. The transport of heme is essential for normal cellular metabolism, growth, and development. Despite the vital importance of heme transport within the cell, data are lacking about how newly synthesized heme is shuttled within the mitochondrion or exported from the organelle. Here, we briefly summarize current knowledge about the process of mitochondrial heme distribution and discuss the current unresolved questions pertinent to this process.