Cellular iron homeostasis pathway

Cellular iron homeostasis describes the highly regulated processes controlling iron uptake, storage, utilization, and export within cells, involving key molecules such as transferrin receptor 1, divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1), ferroportin, ferritin, and regulation by the iron-responsive element/iron regulatory protein (IRE/IRP) system[1][6]. This pathway is central for essential cellular functions (DNA synthesis, mitochondrial respiration, oxygen transport) but must be balanced to prevent iron toxicity through reactive oxygen species generation[7][1]. Dysregulation leads to various diseases and enables cell death via ferroptosis, an iron-dependent, non-apoptotic process characterized by lipid peroxidation and implicated in cancer and neurodegeneration[5]. The pathway is not a single molecular entity but a network of proteins and signals[6][7]. Therapeutic interventions target specific proteins (e.g., hepcidin modulators, iron chelators), not the pathway itself. Hence, "Cellular iron homeostasis / Ferroptosis pathway" is not a canonical drug target but an umbrella term for multiple, more specific molecular targets.

Other names

Iron metabolism pathwayIron regulatory pathwayFerroptosis pathwayIron regulatory protein/iron responsive element (IRP/IRE) systemHepcidin-Ferroportin axisIron-handling pathway