What are the cellular mechanisms involved in iron regulation?
Cellular iron regulation involves several key proteins and pathways:
Iron Regulatory Proteins (IRPs): These proteins bind to iron-responsive elements (IREs) on mRNA, controlling the translation of proteins involved in iron metabolism, such as ferritin and transferrin receptor. Ferritin: Ferritin stores excess iron within cells and releases it when needed, preventing free iron from catalyzing the formation of harmful free radicals. Transferrin: Transferrin transports iron in the blood to various tissues, where it binds to transferrin receptors on cell surfaces for uptake.
