Hepzidine
Hepzidine
Hepzidine (pronounced hep-ZID-een) is a protein that plays a crucial role in the regulation of iron in the body. It is primarily produced in the liver and functions by limiting the amount of iron absorbed from the diet and the iron released from cells.
Etymology
The term "Hepzidine" is derived from the Greek words "hepar" or "hepat-", meaning liver, and "sidereos", meaning iron. This reflects the protein's role in iron regulation and its primary site of production.
Function
Hepzidine is a key regulator of the body's iron homeostasis. It binds to the iron export channel ferroportin, which is located on the surface of cells that store or transport iron. This binding leads to the internalization and degradation of ferroportin, thereby reducing the amount of iron that is released into the bloodstream.
Related Terms
- Iron: A mineral that is crucial for many bodily functions, including the production of hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues.
- Ferroportin: A protein that exports iron from cells to the blood.
- Liver: The largest internal organ in the body, responsible for detoxification, protein synthesis, and the production of biochemicals necessary for digestion, among other functions.
- Homeostasis: The state of steady internal physical and chemical conditions maintained by living systems.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Hepzidine
- Wikipedia's article - Hepzidine
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