Uroporphyrin is the porphyrin produced by oxidation of the methylene bridges in uroporphyrinogen. They have four acetic acid and four propionic acid side chains attached to the pyrrole rings. Uroporphyrinogen I and III are formed from polypyrryl methane in the presence of uroporphyrinogen III cosynthetase and uroporphyrin I synthetase, respectively. They can yield uroporphyrins by autooxidation or coproporphyrinogens by decarboxylation. Excessive amounts of uroporphyrin I are excreted in congenital erythropoietic porphyria, and both types I and III are excreted in porphyria cutanea tarda. Uroporphyrin I and III are the most common isomers.
Belongs to the class of organic compounds known as porphyrins. Porphyrins are compounds containing a fundamental skeleton of four pyrrole nuclei united through the alpha-positions by four methine groups to form a macrocyclic structure.
No indication of carcinogenicity to humans (not listed by IARC).
Uses/Sources
This is an endogenously produced metabolite found in the human body. It is used in metabolic reactions, catabolic reactions or waste generation.
Minimum Risk Level
Not Available
Health Effects
Chronically high levels of porophyrins are associated with porphyrias such as Porphyria variegate, Acute Intermittent Porphyria and Hereditary Coproporphyria (HCP).
