Hemopexin

• OMIM: 142290
• UniProt: P02790

Hemopexin is a glycoprotein in the blood serum of vertebrates that binds hemins, and transported to the liver where they are removed. Thus, it protects the body from oxidative damage, could cause the free hemin molecules. In addition, the iron in the heme is recycled in the liver.

Hemopexin belongs to the group of β - globulins, its molar mass is 80,000 Da, and the average serum concentration is 50-115 mg / dl.

A large amount of red cells destroyed as is the case with hemolytic anemias, such decreases serum concentrations of hemopexin, since it bonds to the received liberated hemin -containing compounds such as hemoglobin. This fact is clinically used when hemolysis is so strong that the determination of haptoglobin concentration is not more revealing.

An increase in the Hämopexinspiegels has been described in patients with malignant melanoma.