A Tf-independent iron transport system required for organogenesis.
Cells require iron as a cofactor for proteins that are essential for growth. While delivery of iron to cells by transferrin is well known, Li et al. in this issue of Developmental Cell show that ferritin, through its binding to the cell surface Scara5 receptor, can also deliver iron to cells, permitting kidney organogenesis.
Troadec
Marie-Berengere
MB
Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
Ward
Diane M
DM
Kaplan
Jerry
J
D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000502:physiology; D005293:Ferritins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051117:Scavenger Receptors, Class A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014168:Transferrin / Q000378:metabolism*
D011990:Receptors, Transferrin; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C511405:SCARA5 protein, mouse; D051117:Scavenger Receptors, Class A; C480029:Tfrc protein, mouse; D014168:Transferrin; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron