Tetrapyrrole
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Tetrapyrroles are compounds containing four pyrrole rings. With the exception of corrin, the four pyrrole rings are interconnected through one-carbon (methine or methylene) bridges, in either a linear or a cyclic fashion. Because of their ability to form metal complexes, these compounds are particularly important in biological systems.
Linear tetrapyrroles (bilanes), using three one-carbon bridges, include:
- Heme breakdown products (e.g., bilirubin)
- Phycobilins (found in cyanobacteria)
Cyclic tetrapyrroles, using four one-carbon bridges, include:
- Porphyrins (e.g., heme)
- Chlorins (e.g., Chlorophyll a)
- Corrins are cyclic tetrapyrroles that have replaced one of the conventional methine bridges with a direct interpyrrole bond.
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