Systemic iron homeostasis and the iron-responsive element/iron-regulatory protein (IRE/IRP) regulatory network

Annu Rev Nutr. 2008:28:197-213. doi: 10.1146/annurev.nutr.28.061807.155521.

Abstract

The regulation and maintenance of systemic iron homeostasis is critical to human health. Iron overload and deficiency diseases belong to the most common nutrition-related pathologies across the globe. It is now well appreciated that the hormonal hepcidin/ferroportin system plays an important regulatory role for systemic iron metabolism. We review recent data that uncover the importance of the cellular iron-responsive element/iron-regulatory protein (IRE/IRP) regulatory network in systemic iron homeostasis. We also discuss how the IRE/IRP regulatory system communicates with the hepcidin/ferroportin system to connect the control networks for systemic and cellular iron balance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Homeostasis*
  • Humans
  • Iron / blood*
  • Iron Deficiencies*
  • Iron-Regulatory Proteins / physiology*
  • Response Elements / physiology

Substances

  • Iron-Regulatory Proteins
  • Iron