delta-Aminolevulinic acid dehydratase inactivation by uroporphyrin I in light and darkness.

1. The action of uroporphyrin I on erythrocytic ALA-D activity under dark and light conditions was examined. 2. Photo and non-photoinactivation of ALA-D induced by uroporphyrin I were observed. 3. Both effects were dependent on uroporphyrin concentration, temperature and time of exposure of the protein to the porphyrin. 4. Light-dependent effect of uroporphyrin I is related with the phototoxicity of porphyrins and could be produced by primary amino acid photooxidation followed by secondary cross-linking of the protein. 5. Light-dependent effect of uroporphyrin I could be ascribed to a direct enzyme inhibition due to binding of the porphyrin to the protein inducing structural changes at or near its active site.