Biliverdin
1852611
212550418
2008-05-15T07:03:56Z
Arcadian
104523
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| ImageFile = Biliverdin3.svg
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| Section1 = {{Chembox Identifiers
| CASNo = 114-25-0
| PubChem = 251
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| MeSHName = Biliverdin
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| Section2 = {{Chembox Properties
| Formula = C<sub>33</sub>H<sub>34</sub>N<sub>4</sub>O<sub>6</sub>
| MolarMass = 582.646
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| Section3 = {{Chembox Hazards
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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 (C<sub>33</sub>H<sub>34</sub>N<sub>4</sub>O<sub>6</sub>) is then converted to [[bilirubin]] (C<sub>33</sub>H<sub>36</sub>N<sub>4</sub>O<sub>6</sub>) 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 [[skink]]s 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.
==External links==
[[Tetrapyrroles]]
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[[Category:Pigments]]
[[Category:Tetrapyrroles]]
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{{heterocyclic-stub}}
{{Heme metabolism intermediates}}
[[de:Biliverdin]]
[[it:Biliverdina]]
[[lt:Biliverdinas]]
[[fi:Biliverdiini]]