Iron absorption and delivery

"Iron absorption and delivery" refers collectively to the tightly regulated processes that allow the body to take up dietary iron from the intestine, transfer it into circulation, and deliver it to tissues, particularly for hemoglobin synthesis and cellular metabolism. The main proteins involved include duodenal cytochrome B (Dcytb, a ferric reductase), divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1, for apical iron uptake), ferroportin (the only known iron exporter), hephaestin and ceruloplasmin (ferroxidases required for Fe^2+^ to Fe^3+^ conversion), transferrin (the main plasma iron carrier), and transferrin receptors 1 and 2 (for cellular uptake). These pathways are controlled by systemic factors such as hepcidin (the master regulator peptide that downregulates ferroportin) and local regulation by iron regulatory proteins (IRPs) interacting with iron-responsive elements (IREs) in the mRNA of iron metabolism genes. Disruption of any part of this process can lead to clinical disorders such as iron deficiency anemia, iron overload diseases including hemochromatosis, or anemia of chronic disease[1][2][3][4].

Other names

Iron homeostasisiron transport

Chelation and removal of excess iron; Enhancement or inhibition of iron absorption or export; Modulation of hepcidin/ferroportin activity