Catalyzes the oxidative cleavage of heme at the alpha-methene bridge carbon, released as carbon monoxide (CO), to generate biliverdin IXalpha, while releasing the central heme iron chelate as ferrous iron ( ). Affords protection against programmed cell death and this cytoprotective effect relies on its ability to catabolize free heme and prevent it from sensitizing cells to undergo apoptosis .
(Microbial infection) During SARS-COV-2 infection, promotes SARS-CoV-2 ORF3A-mediated autophagy but is unlikely to be required for ORF3A-mediated induction of reticulophagy.
Catalyzes the oxidative cleavage of heme at the alpha-methene bridge carbon, released as carbon monoxide (CO), to generate biliverdin IXalpha, while releasing the central heme iron chelate as ferrous iron.
Subcellular locations: Endoplasmic reticulum membrane
Expressed at higher levels in renal cancer tissue than in normal tissue (at protein level).