UROD

This gene encodes the fifth enzyme of the heme biosynthetic pathway. This enzyme is responsible for catalyzing the conversion of uroporphyrinogen to coproporphyrinogen through the removal of four carboxymethyl side chains. Mutations and deficiency in this enzyme are known to cause familial porphyria cutanea tarda and hepatoerythropoetic porphyria. [provided by RefSeq]

Full Name

uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase

Function

Catalyzes the sequential decarboxylation of the four acetate side chains of uroporphyrinogen to form coproporphyrinogen and participates in the fifth step in the heme biosynthetic pathway (PubMed:14633982, PubMed:11069625, PubMed:21668429, PubMed:11719352).
Isomer I or isomer III of uroporphyrinogen may serve as substrate, but only coproporphyrinogen III can ultimately be converted to heme (PubMed:14633982, PubMed:11069625, PubMed:21668429, PubMed:11719352).
In vitro also decarboxylates pentacarboxylate porphyrinogen I (PubMed:12071824).

Biological Process

Biological Process heme biosynthetic process Source:GO_Central1 Publication
Biological Process porphyrin-containing compound catabolic process Source:UniProtKB4 Publications
Biological Process porphyrin-containing compound metabolic process Source:UniProtKB1 Publication
Biological Process protoporphyrinogen IX biosynthetic process Source:UniProtKB-UniPathway

Cellular Location

Cytoplasm

Involvement in disease

Familial porphyria cutanea tarda (FPCT):
A form of porphyria. Porphyrias are inherited defects in the biosynthesis of heme, resulting in the accumulation and increased excretion of porphyrins or porphyrin precursors. They are classified as erythropoietic or hepatic, depending on whether the enzyme deficiency occurs in red blood cells or in the liver. Familial porphyria cutanea tarda is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by light-sensitive dermatitis, with onset in later life. It is associated with the excretion of large amounts of uroporphyrin in the urine. Iron overload is often present in association with varying degrees of liver damage.
Hepatoerythropoietic porphyria (HEP):
A form of porphyria. Porphyrias are inherited defects in the biosynthesis of heme, resulting in the accumulation and increased excretion of porphyrins or porphyrin precursors. They are classified as erythropoietic or hepatic, depending on whether the enzyme deficiency occurs in red blood cells or in the liver. HEP is a cutaneous porphyria that presents in infancy. It is characterized biochemically by excessive excretion of acetate-substituted porphyrins and accumulation of protoporphyrin in erythrocytes. Uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase levels are very low in erythrocytes and cultured skin fibroblasts.