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Human iron metabolism is the set of chemical reactions that maintain human homeostasis of iron at the systemic and cellular level. Iron is both necessary to the body and potentially toxic. Controlling iron levels in the body is a critically important part of many aspects of human health and disease.
Human iron homeostasis is regulated at two different levels. Systemic iron levels are balanced by the controlled absorption of dietary iron by enterocytes, the cells that line the interior of the intestines, and the uncontrolled loss of iron from epithelial sloughing, sweat, injuries and blood loss. In addition, systemic iron is continuously ...
Erythroferrone is a protein hormone encoded in humans by the ERFE gene. Erythroferrone is produced by erythroblasts, inhibits the production of hepcidin in the liver, and so increases the amount of iron available for hemoglobin synthesis. [5] [6] Skeletal muscle secreted ERFE has been shown to maintain systemic metabolic homeostasis. [7]
The receptor helps maintain iron homeostasis in the cells by controlling iron concentrations. [16] The gene coding for transferrin in humans is located in chromosome band 3q21. [7] Medical professionals may check serum transferrin level in iron deficiency and in iron overload disorders such as hemochromatosis.
Hepcidin is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HAMP gene. Hepcidin is a key regulator of the entry of iron into the circulation in mammals. [6]During conditions in which the hepcidin level is abnormally high, such as inflammation, serum iron falls due to iron trapping within macrophages and liver cells and decreased gut iron absorption.
In biology, homeostasis (British also homoeostasis; / h ɒ m i oʊ ˈ s t eɪ s ɪ s,-m i ə-/) is the state of steady internal physical and chemical conditions maintained by living systems. [1] This is the condition of optimal functioning for the organism and includes many variables, such as body temperature and fluid balance , being kept ...
Heme is a major source of dietary iron in humans and other mammals, and its synthesis in the body is well understood, but heme pathways are not as well understood. It is likely that heme is tightly regulated for two reasons: the toxic nature of iron in cells, and the lack of a regulated excretory system for excess iron.
Ferroportin-1, also known as solute carrier family 40 member 1 (SLC40A1) or iron-regulated transporter 1 (IREG1), is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SLC40A1 gene. [5] Ferroportin is a transmembrane protein that transports iron from the inside of a cell to the outside of the cell. Ferroportin is the only known iron exporter. [6]