Molecular mechanisms involved in intestinal iron absorption.
Iron is an essential trace metal in the human diet due to its obligate role in a number of metabolic processes. In the diet, iron is present in a number of different forms, generally described as haem (from haemoglobin and myoglobin in animal tissue) and non-haem iron (including ferric oxides and salts, ferritin and lactoferrin). This review describes the molecular mechanisms that co-ordinate the absorption of iron from the diet and its release into the circulation. While many components of the iron transport pathway have been elucidated, a number of key issues still remain to be resolved. Future work in this area will provide a clearer picture regarding the transcellular flux of iron and its regulation by dietary and humoral factors.
Sharp
Paul
P
Department of Nutrition & Dietetics, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom. paul.a.sharp@kcl.ac.uk
Srai
Surjit-Kaila
SK
D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000502:physiology; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000502:physiology; D037282:Calreticulin / Q000502:physiology; D020895:Enterocytes / Q000502:physiology; D005293:Ferritins / Q000502:physiology; D064451:Hepcidins; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000502:physiology*; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*
D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D037282:Calreticulin; D064451:Hepcidins; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron