Skip to main content
Log in

Familial and sporadic porphyria cutanea

Two different diseases

  • Original Investigations
  • Published:
Human Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Uroporphyrinogen (URO) decarboxylase was measured in hemoglobin-free erythrocytes from subjects with familial porphyria cutanea: the mean activity was about 50% of that found in erythrocytes from normal subjects. Asymptomatic carriers were always found in the family. No enzyme deficiency was found in erythrocytes from subjects with sporadic porphyria cutanea. The measurement of URO decarboxylase in erythrocytes seems to allow an easy distinction between these two groups of porphyria cutanea.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Blekkenhorst, G., Pimstone, N. R., Eales, L.: Porphyria cutanea tarda in South Africa: The metabolic basis of discorded haem biosynthesis. In: Porphyrins in Human Diseases, Proc. Int. Porphyrin Meet. 1st, Freiburg, (M. Doss, ed.), pp. 299–311. Basel: S, Karger 1976

    Google Scholar 

  • Blincoe, C.: The simultaneous separation and washing of erythrocytes. Clin. Chim. Acta 57, 297–300 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Edmondson, P. R., Schwartz, S.: Studies of the uroporphyrins. III. An improved method for the decarboxylation of uroporphyrin. J. Biol. Chem. 205, 605–609 (1953)

    Google Scholar 

  • Elder, G. H.: Identification of a group of tetracarboxylate porphyrins, containing one acetate and three propionate β-substituents, in faeces from patients with symptomatic cutaneous hepatic porphyria and from rats with porphyria due to hexachlorobenzene. Biochem. J. 126, 877–891 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Elder, G. H.: Porphyrin metabolism in porphyria cutanea tarda. Semin. Hematol. 14, 227–242 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Elder, G. H.: The effect of the porphyrogenic compound, hexachlorobenzene, on the activity of hepatic uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase in the rat. Clin. Sci. Mol. Med. 51, 71–80 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Falk, J. E.: In: Porphyrins and Metalloporphyrins, pp. 162–163. Amsterdam: Elsevier 1964

    Google Scholar 

  • Hennessey, M. A., Waltersdorph, A. M., Huennekens, F. M., Gabrio, B. W.: Erythrocyte metabolism. VI. Separation of erythrocyte enzymes from hemoglobin. J. Clin. Invest. 41, 1257–1262 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kushner, J. P., Barbuto, A. J., Lee, R. G.: An inherited enzymatic defect in porphyria cutanea tarda: Decreased uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase activity. J. Clin. Invest. 58, 1089–1097 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowry, O. H., Rosenbrough, N. H., Farr, A. L., Randall, R. J.: Protein measurement with the Folin phenol reagent. J. Biol. Chem. 193, 265–275 (1951)

    Google Scholar 

  • Romeo, G.: Enzymatic defects of hereditary porphyrias. Hum. Genet. 39, 261–276 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • San Martin de Viale, L. C., Rios de Molina, M. del C., Wainstok de Calmanovici, R., Tomio, J. M.: Porphyrins and porphyrinogen carboxy-lyase in hexachlorobenzene induced porphyria. Biochem. J. 168, 393–400 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiepermann, R. V., Topi, G., Gandolfo, L.d'A., Doss, M.: Uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase defect in erythrocytes in hereditary chronic hepatic porphyria. J. Clin. Chem. Clin. Biochem. 16, 52–54 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tomio, J. M., Garcia, R. C., San Martin de Viale, L. C., Grinstein, M.: Porphyrin biosynthesis. VII. Porphyrinogen carboxy-lyase from avian erythrocytes. Purification and properties. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 198, 353–363 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

de Verneuil, H., Aitken, G. & Nordmann, Y. Familial and sporadic porphyria cutanea. Hum Genet 44, 145–151 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00295407

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00295407

Keywords

Navigation