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Molecular Mechanisms of Iron Metabolism
Recent progress in elucidating the genetic and molecular mechanisms of iron metabolism and distribution provide insight into diseases of iron metabolism. These molecules may serve as potential targets for blood tests to monitor and screen for iron overload.
Iron transport proteins bind to ferric iron and carry it through the plasma or the cytoplasm to be either stored or released for use in physiological functions. Iron storage protein (primarily ferritin) keeps a large number of ferric iron atoms in reserve in a non-reactive state. Iron regulatory proteins regulate the production and activity of iron transport and storage proteins, thereby regulating intracellular iron levels and iron distribution.