Sn-protoporphyrin inhibits both heme degradation and hemozoin formation in Rhodnius prolixus midgut

►Heme is degraded to dicysteinyl-biliverdin IX γ in Rhodnius midgut. ►Heme degradation pathway in the gut has five steps, as in the heart of the insect. ►Heme detoxification also is accomplished by heme aggregation into hemozoin. ►Sn-protoporphyrin inhibits both mechanisms o heme detoxification in the gut. ►Inhibition of both pathways leads to oxidative stress and inhibition of egg growth.