Catalytic activity:Heme + 3 AH(2) + 3 O(2) = biliverdin + Fe(2+) + CO + 3 A + 3 H(2)O.,function:Heme oxygenase cleaves the heme ring at the alpha methene bridge to form biliverdin. Biliverdin is subsequently converted to bilirubin by biliverdin reductase. Under physiological conditions, the activity of heme oxygenase is highest in the spleen, where senescent erythrocytes are sequestrated and destroyed.,induction:Heme oxygenase 1 activity is highly inducible by its substrate heme and by various non-heme substances such as heavy metals, bromobenzene, endotoxin, oxidizing agents and UVA.,similarity:Belongs to the heme oxygenase family.