Biliverdin reductase

The biliverdin reductase ( BVR ) is an enzyme of the heme degradation in animals, it catalyses the reduction of biliverdin to bilirubin. In humans, two paralogous isoforms are known: BVR -A is mainly found in the liver and BVR -B is expressed exclusively in the embryo. It is believed that BVR -A exerts other functions in the nucleus, as it is in autophosphorylation and binding to DNA in the situation. BVR -B may also reduce flavins.

Catalyzed reaction

NADPH / H → NADP

Biliverdin is reduced to bilirubin. BVR -A is the only known enzyme with a dual activity profile as a function of pH, and cofactor (NADPH at pH 8.7 and at pH 7.0 NADH ).