Research Area: Cancer
Biological Activity:
5-Aminolevulinic acid is an intermediate in heme biosynthesis in the body and the universal precursor of tetrapyrroles, such as chlorophyll and heme. In mammals, yeast, fungi and the purple bacteria, 5-aminolevulinic acid is formed by the Shemin pathway. Then it is used in the synthesis of hemes, vitamin B12 and bacteriochlorophyll. Two molecules of 5-aminolevulinic acid are condensed to form porphobilinogen. It is the first step compound in the porphyrin synthesis. Aminolevulinic acid HCl (5-aminolevulinic acid HCl) is a prodrug that is metabolized intracellularly to form the photosensitizing molecule protoporphyrin (PpIX). When PpIX is activated by light, cytotoxic reactive oxygen species and free radicals are generated. ALA can diffuse through skin and preferentially localizes in tumors and dysplasic tissue. Subsequent exposure of PpIX-loaded tumor cells to light can destroy the tumor. [1][2]