Physiological iron-binding proteins and pools

Physiological iron-binding proteins and pools represent the integrated system of molecules responsible for the transport, storage, and regulation of iron to maintain homeostasis (NIH, 2024). This system includes transport proteins like transferrin, storage proteins such as ferritin and hemosiderin, and the intracellular labile iron pool (LIP), which contains chemically reactive, non-protein-bound iron (PubMed, 2019). These components ensure iron is available for essential processes like oxygen transport and DNA synthesis while preventing the formation of toxic reactive oxygen species through the Fenton reaction (Wikipedia, 2024). In clinical practice, these proteins and pools are the primary targets for iron chelation therapy in conditions of iron overload, such as thalassemia and hemochromatosis, and for iron supplementation in cases of iron deficiency anemia (StatPearls, 2023). Drugs like deferoxamine and deferasirox target the LIP and ferritin stores to remove excess iron, whereas various iron salts and complexes are used to replenish these physiological pools (PubChem, 2024).

Other names

Iron homeostasis systemIron storage and transport proteinsLabile iron pool (LIP)Non-heme iron poolsIron-binding proteins

Iron chelators bind to the labile iron pool and ferritin-stored iron to form stable, non-toxic complexes that are excreted from the body, while iron supplements provide exogenous iron to replenish depleted ferritin stores and saturate transferrin transport capacity (StatPearls, 2023; PubChem, 2024).