Overview:

HO2, or heme oxygenase 2, belongs to the heme oxygenase family that are essential enzyme in heme catabolism that cleave heme to form biliverdin which is subsequently converted to bilirubin by biliverdin reductase (1). HO2 is part of the calcium-sensitive potassium channel complex and enhances channel activity in normoxia (2). Knockdown of HO2 expression reduces channel activity, an effect that is reversed by carbon monoxide. Inhibition of calcium-sensitive potassium channels by hypoxia is dependent on HO2 expression and is augmented by HO2 stimulation.

Gene Aliases:

HMOX2

Genbank Number:

NM_002134

References:

1. Kemp, P.J. et al: Hemeoxygenase-2 as an O2 sensor in K+ channel-dependent chemotransduction. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2005;338(1):648-52.

2. Williams, S. E. et al: Hemoxygenase-2 is an oxygen sensor for a calcium-sensitive potassium channel. Science. 2004 Dec 17;306(5704):2093-7.