Proteins involved in Iron

Question 1

Ferritin

Answer 1

conserves iron and protects cells from the highly reactive ferric ion. circulates in plasma in nanogram quantities. Good indicator of iron stores

Question 2

Hemosiderin

Answer 2

form of storage ion visible by light microscopy. Found in macrophages in the bone marrow, liver, and spleen. Probably formed by aggregation of partially denatured and deproteinized ferritin.

Question 3

Hepcidin

Answer 3

main regulator of iron homeostasis. Made in liver. Inhibits the major iron “exporting” protein, Ferroportin.

Question 4

Ferroportin

Answer 4

responsible for exporting iron from duodenal enterocytes and macrophages into the circulation

Question 5

When plasma iron levels are high, what happens with hepcidin and ferroportin?

Answer 5

Hepcidin release increases, ferroportin is inhibited