Haemopexin

Overview
Hemopexin, also known as HPX, is a human gene.

The protein encoded by this gene, hemopexin (or haemopexin) binds heme with the highest affinity of any known protein. Its function of scavenging the heme released or lost by the turnover of heme proteins such as hemoglobin protects the body from the oxidative damage that free heme can cause. In addition, hemopexin releases its bound ligand for internalisation upon interacting with a specific receptor situated on the surface of liver cells. This function of hemopexin is to preserve the body's iron.

Clinical significance
Its levels in serum reflect how much heme is present in the blood. Low levels indicate that there is a lot of it. Therefore, low hemopexin levels indicates that there has been significant degradation of heme containing compounds - the latter being primarily hemoglobin, it indicates hemolysis and low hemopexin levels are therefore one of the diagnostic features of a hemolytic anemia.

Decreased

 * Chronic Liver Disease
 * Hemolytic Anemia
 * Malabsorption
 * Porphyria cutanea tarda
 * Severe intravascular hemolysis

Increased

 * Rapidly growing melanomas