Iron storage and transport proteins (None)

Iron storage and transport proteins describe a family of proteins essential for maintaining iron homeostasis in biological systems. Ferritin is the main protein responsible for cellular and systemic iron storage, sequestering iron in a soluble, non-toxic form as a mineralized core within its hollow, multi-subunit protein shell. Transferrin is the main iron transport protein in plasma, binding Fe^3+ with high affinity and delivering it to cells via the transferrin receptor-mediated endocytosis process; these receptors (TfR1 and TfR2) regulate cellular iron uptake. Additional relevant transporters include Divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1), responsible for iron import into cells, and Ferroportin, the only known cellular iron exporter. Disruption or dysregulation of these proteins is implicated in numerous diseases, including iron deficiency anemias, iron overload syndromes, neurodegeneration, and infections.

Other names

Iron storage proteinIron transport proteinIron-binding proteinSerotransferrinFTL/FTHTF

Chelators: bind free iron, promote excretion. Iron supplements: increase bioavailable iron for uptake by transport proteins. Antibodies: block or hijack receptor-mediated endocytosis for targeted drug delivery.