Ferroportin

Ferroportin is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SLC40A1 gene. It is the only known cellular iron exporter in vertebrates and is essential for the control of body iron homeostasis.

Function

Ferroportin is a transmembrane protein that functions as an iron transporter. It is expressed on the surface of cells that store or transport iron, such as enterocytes in the duodenum, hepatocytes, and macrophages. Ferroportin allows the transport of iron from the inside of these cells to the outside, where it can be picked up by transferrin and transported to other cells in the body.

Regulation

The expression and function of ferroportin is regulated by the hormone hepcidin. Hepcidin binds to ferroportin and induces its internalization and degradation, thereby reducing iron export from cells. This mechanism is important for the control of body iron homeostasis and can be disrupted in various diseases, such as hereditary hemochromatosis and anemia of chronic disease.

Clinical significance

Mutations in the SLC40A1 gene that encodes ferroportin can cause ferroportin disease, also known as type 4 hereditary hemochromatosis. This is a type of iron overload disorder characterized by increased iron absorption from the diet and accumulation of iron in various organs, leading to complications such as liver disease, heart disease, and diabetes.

See also

• Iron metabolism
• Hemochromatosis
• Hepcidin
• Transferrin

External links

• Ferroportin at WikiMD