The synthesis of stereoselectively labelled porphobilinogen and its incorporation into protoporphyrin-IX

Abstract
11-(R)-2H porphobilinogen, stereospecifically labelled with deuterium in the aminomethylene group has been incorporated into protoporphyrin-IX by haemolysates of chicken erythrocytes. High field NMR spectroscopy confirms that the overall biochemical process is stereospecific, deuterium being retained at the α-, γ-and δ-meso positions and lost from the β-meso position.