Heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1) (HMOX1)

Heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1) is an inducible enzyme that serves as the rate-limiting step in the catabolism of heme, producing carbon monoxide (CO), biliverdin, and ferrous iron (PubMed: 10925930). It is a key therapeutic target for modulating vascular and inflammatory pathways, as its product, CO, acts as a potent signaling molecule (PubMed: 26163828). In vascular smooth muscle, CO induces vasodilation by activating soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) and large-conductance calcium-activated potassium (BK) channels, thereby regulating vascular tone and blood pressure (PubMed: 9263317, 12036877). Beyond its vasoactive properties, the HO-1/CO axis plays a vital role in the immune response by exerting anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anti-proliferative effects, largely through the modulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling and the inhibition of pro-inflammatory transcription factors like NF-κB (PubMed: 10859115, 25419173). Drugs interacting with this target include HO-1 inducers such as hemin, as well as exogenous CO and CO-releasing molecules (CORMs) designed to mimic the enzyme's protective effects (PubMed: 12036877, 17170369). However, therapeutic development must address safety concerns related to carbon monoxide toxicity, carboxyhemoglobin formation, and the potential pro-oxidant risks associated with released iron (PubMed: 26163828).

Other names

HO-1HMOX1HSP32Heme oxygenase (decyclizing) 1

Heme oxygenase 1 catalyzes the degradation of heme to produce carbon monoxide, which subsequently activates soluble guanylate cyclase and BK channels to induce vasodilation and modulates MAPK pathways to exert anti-inflammatory effects (PubMed: 17170369, 26163828).