Inner workings of molecular thermostat point to pathways to fight diabetes, obesity
Friday, September 11, 2009 - 10:21
in Health & Medicine
Best known as the oxygen-carrying component of hemoglobin, the protein that makes blood red, heme also plays a role in chemical detoxification and energy metabolism within the cell. Heme levels are tightly maintained, and with good reason: Too little heme prevents cell growth and division; excessive amounts of heme are toxic.