Prohepcidin localises to the Golgi compartment and secretory pathway in hepatocytes.
OBJECTIVE
Hepcidin is a liver-expressed peptide which plays an important role in the regulation of iron metabolism. It is a negative regulator of iron absorption and release of iron from cells. The aims of this study were to analyse the expression and localisation of prohepcidin in liver and cell lines.


METHODS
We generated antibodies against recombinant mouse prohepcidin and studied its expression in cell lines, primary hepatocytes and livers of normal mice and mice with abnormalities in iron metabolism.


RESULTS
Prohepcidin localised to the secretory pathway, primarily the Golgi apparatus in liver cells and tissues. Hfe and beta2-microglobulin knockout mice have similar levels of prohepcidin protein expression as compared to wild-type mice despite increased iron stores. Sex-linked anaemia mice have iron deficiency and no prohepcidin expression in the liver.


CONCLUSIONS
Prohepcidin protein is present in the secretory pathway of liver cells. Despite iron loading, mouse models of haemochromatosis have comparatively normal levels of prohepcidin expression whereas mice with iron deficiency have no prohepcidin expression.
Wallace
Daniel F
DF
Membrane Transport Laboratory, The Queensland Institute of Medical Research, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia.
Summerville
Lesa
L
Lusby
Patricia E
PE
Subramaniam
V Nathan
VN
D000818:Animals; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D017931:DNA Primers; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism*; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D064451:Hepcidins; D015151:Immunoblotting; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000172:deficiency
D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D017931:DNA Primers; C579599:Hamp protein, mouse; D064451:Hepcidins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin