Biliverdin
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| Biliverdin | |
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| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | [114-25-0] |
| PubChem | |
| MeSH | |
| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | C33H34N4O6 |
| Molar mass | 582.646 |
| Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references |
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Biliverdin is a green pigment formed as a byproduct of heme breakdown. It consists of four linearly connected pyrrole rings (a tetrapyrrole). Biliverdin is formed when a heme prosthetic group is cleaved at its α-methine bridge. The resulting water-soluble biliverdin (C33H34N4O6) is then converted to bilirubin (C33H36N4O6) by biliverdin reductase in macrophages of the reticuloendothelial system. The changing color of a bruise from deep purple to yellow over time is a graphical indicator of this reaction.
Biliverdin is also present in the bile juice which is secreted by the liver and also imparts color to the bile juice.
The green-blooded skinks of the genus Prasinohaema possess such high (and would otherwise be toxic) levels of biliverdin in their blood that their tissues are colored a bright green.
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