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N-methyl Protoporphyrin IX is a transition state analog that potently inhibits protoporphyrin IX ferrochelatase (K_i = 10 nM), blocking the terminal step of the heme biosynthetic pathway. It is used to study the effect of heme synthesis blockade in cell systems.

N-Methylprotoporphyrin IX is a potent inhibitor of ferrochelatase enzyme[1].

[1] Ortiz de Montellano PR, et al. Inhibition of hepatic ferrochelatase by the four isomers of N-methylprotoporphyrin IX. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1980;97(4):1436-1442. DOI:10.1016/s0006-291x(80)80026-x