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Iron Physiology and Pathophysiology in Humans pp 63–78Cite as

Concentrating, Storing, and Detoxifying Iron: The Ferritins and Hemosiderin

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Part of the book series: Nutrition and Health ((NH))

Abstract

Ferritins are important in both iron and oxygen metabolism, based on patterns of gene regulation and protein function. The DNA is regulated by oxidants and is coordinated with other antioxidant response genes [1]. The mRNA function regulated by iron and oxygen [2–4] with direct sensing of ferrous ion in the repressor (IRP) complex [5], is coordinated with iron trafficking and oxygen metabolism mRNAs [6]. Ferritin protein converts both cytoplasmic iron (Fe2+) and oxygen (O2), into catalytic product, and mineral precursors in ∼2:1 ratio [7]. A mineral with 2,000 Fe has consumed almost 1,500 dioxygen molecules in mineral formation, decreasing, at least locally, both iron and oxygen in the cytoplasm.

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Acknowledgments

The work of the author that is included here results from fruitful and satisfying interactions with collaborators, predoctoral students, and postdoctoral trainees, and for which the author is very grateful. Financial support to the author has been from NIH grant DK20251, CHORI, and the Cooley’s Anemia Foundation, and for studies on ferritin as a nutritional iron source from NIH grant HL56169, the NCARS, and Condycet.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Children’s Hospital of Oakland Research Institute (CHORI), Oakland, CA, 94609, USA

    Elizabeth C. Theil Ph.D.

  2. Nutritional Sciences & Toxicology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94609, USA

    Elizabeth C. Theil Ph.D.

  3. Molecular & Structural Biochemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA

    Elizabeth C. Theil Ph.D.

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  1. Elizabeth C. Theil Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Elizabeth C. Theil Ph.D. .

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  1. Bancroft Centre, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Herston Road 300, Brisbane, 4029, Queensland, Australia

    Gregory J. Anderson

  2. Dept. Medicine &, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Ctr., University of California, Irvine, East 7th St. 5901, Long Beach, 90822, California, USA

    Gordon D. McLaren

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Theil, E.C. (2012). Concentrating, Storing, and Detoxifying Iron: The Ferritins and Hemosiderin. In: Anderson, G., McLaren, G. (eds) Iron Physiology and Pathophysiology in Humans. Nutrition and Health. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-485-2_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-485-2_4

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