?-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is recognized as the starter in the biosynthesis of the heme group, the structural basis of cytochromes, chlorophylls, biliary pigments, and other porphyrins. In mammals, ALA is synthesized within the mitochondria by the condensation of glycine with succinyl CoA. It is the first intermediary in the biosynthesis of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) and, [...]