δ-Aminolevulinic Acid Synthetase

Abstract

Abstract Orally administered ferric citrate exerts a pronounced synergistic effect on the induction of hepatic δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase produced by two compounds. The effect appears to be specific for iron citrate, as opposed to other metals in complex with citrate, and specific also in affecting the level of δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase as compared with another induced enzyme, tyrosine transaminase. Inorganic iron salts did not produce augmentation of the induction of hepatic δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase. The data suggest that iron augments the rate of synthesis of the enzyme during induction rather than activating or stabilizing the enzyme.