Biological Importance of Heme Complex

[Natalie Swerdlow 3K]

In lecture, it was said that Fe binds to the porphyrin ligand to form a heme complex. I was hoping to get more of an explanation on what a heme complex and porphyrin ligands are and their biological significance? For example, is myoglobin considered a specific heme complex? If so, how do you name a heme complex if you were given a question that shows iron bonded to porphyrin ligands?

[cherublina1l]

i dont thinj myoglobin is a specific heme complex because its made of a heme complex and a protein. myoglobin binds O2 in tissues and molecules and hemoglobin which is made of 4 myoglobins will bind 4 O2 molecules. If it showed you a Fe bound to porypborin ligands you would just call it a heme complex i believe.
I dont know if that answered all of your questions but if someone else has a more thorough explanation hopefully they can comment!

[Lynne Xu 3K]

A heme complex is an iron bound to a porphyrin ligand. The porphyrin ligand is a tetradentate molecule with four nitrogens facing inward.

An amino acid binds in the fifth site of the complex, making up myoglobin. The last site can be used to bind O2.

[Samantha Melin 2E]

In lecture, we were told that the heme complex consists of a Fe bonded to a porphyrin ligand. If you add a protein to a heme complex, it becomes myoglobin and has the ability to transport O2. Four myoglobins make up a hemoglobin which transports O2 in the blood. In regards to your question, myoglobin contains a heme complex, and I don't think we would be asked to name any other systems containing a heme complex aside from the ones provided in lecture.