Ferritin heavy chain 1 mRNA (FTH1 mRNA) (FTH1 mRNA)

Ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1) mRNA encodes the heavy subunit of the ferritin complex, which is the primary intracellular protein responsible for the safe storage of iron (UniProt P02794). The FTH1 protein is characterized by its essential ferroxidase activity, which converts toxic ferrous iron (Fe2+) into the non-toxic ferric form (Fe3+) for sequestration within the ferritin shell (NCBI Gene 2495). The translation of FTH1 mRNA is tightly regulated by a highly conserved iron-responsive element (IRE) in its 5' untranslated region, which binds iron regulatory proteins (IRPs) to modulate protein synthesis based on cellular iron availability. In many cancers, FTH1 mRNA is upregulated to sequester iron and protect cells from ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death (PMID: 33064981). Consequently, targeting FTH1 mRNA with antisense oligonucleotides or siRNA is being explored as a therapeutic strategy to increase the labile iron pool and sensitize tumor cells to ferroptosis-inducing therapies (PMID: 27572130). Beyond oncology, dysregulation of FTH1 mRNA is linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, where iron accumulation contributes to neuronal damage. Therapeutic modulation of this target aims to restore iron balance and mitigate oxidative stress in various pathological contexts.

Other names

Ferritin heavy polypeptide 1 mRNAFTH mRNAFTHL6 mRNAPIG15 mRNAFerritin H-chain mRNA

Antisense-mediated mRNA degradation or RNA interference to reduce FTH1 protein levels, thereby increasing the intracellular labile iron pool and sensitizing cells to ferroptosis.