Tetrapyrroles are compounds containing four pyrrole rings. With the exception of corrin, the four pyrrole rings are interconnected through one-carbon (methine or methylene) bridges, either in a linear or cyclic fashion.
Linear tetrapyrroles, using three one-carbon bridges, include:
- Bilanes (e.g. bilirubin)
- Phycobilins (found in cyanobacteria)
Cyclic tetrapyrroles, using four one-carbon bridges, include:
- Porphyrins (e.g. heme)
- Chlorophylls
Corrins are cyclic tetrapyrroles that have replaced one of the conventional methine bridges with a direct interpyrrole bond.
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