Heme Oxygenase 1: Does It Have a Role in Renal Cytoprotection?

Heme oxygenase–catalyzed degradation of heme. Abbreviations: NADPH, reduced form of NADP; NADP, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate; Fe, iron; CO, carbon monoxide.

Schematic representation of human heme oxygenase-1 gene. The regulatory sequence shown is limited to components of the proximal promoter region. Abbreviations: HSE, heat shock element; (GT)_n, polymorphic GT repeat sequence; NF-κB, nuclear factor-κB; AP-2, activator protein-2; StRE, stress-responsive element; CdRE, cadmium-response element. The TATA box at the transcription start site is also shown. A more complete illustration of the known transcriptions factors influencing HO-1 expression is available in Sikorski et al¹ and Alam and Cook.⁸

Induction of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) gene expression by multiple mediators of renal injury leading to potential renal cytoprotection. Abbreviation: NF-κB, nuclear factor-κB.