Heme oxygenase-1

Patent Granted HMOX1 (heme oxygenase (decycling) 1) is a human gene that encodes for the enzyme heme oxygenase 1 (EC 1.14.99.3). Heme oxygenase is an essential enzyme in heme catabolism, it cleaves heme to form biliverdin. Heme oxygenase, an essential enzyme in heme catabolism, cleaves heme to form biliverdin, which is subsequently converted to bilirubin by biliverdin reductase, and carbon monoxide, a putative neurotransmitter. Heme oxygenase activity is induced by its substrate heme and by various nonheme substances. Heme oxygenase occurs as 2 isozymes, an inducible heme oxygenase-1 and a constitutive heme oxygenase-2. HMOX1 and HMOX2 belong to the heme oxygenase family.