PD Dr. Roland Schönherr, Friedrich Schiller Universität Jena
Abstract : Tightly bound heme is a well-known prosthetic group of many hemoproteins, but free heme is cytotoxic and needs tight control. Nevertheless, accumulating evidence suggests that labile, free heme can be found in cellular compartments in sufficient concentrations to allow the regulation of ion channels such as Kv1.4 or BK potassium channels. Unfortunately, a lack of reliable methods to monitor heme dynamics hampers the study of free heme and its possible physiological relevance. An improved fluorescent sensor for intracellular free heme will be discussed.