Systemic Regulation of Intestinal Iron Absorption

Systemic regulation of intestinal iron absorption.

The intestinal absorption of the essential trace element iron and its mobilization from storage sites in the body are controlled by systemic signals that reflect tissue iron requirements. Recent advances have indicated that the liver-derived peptide hepcidin plays a central role in this process by repressing iron release from intestinal enterocytes, macrophages and other body cells. When iron r...

Regulation of intestinal non-haem iron absorption.

Iron Imports. VI. HFE and regulation of intestinal iron absorption.

The majority of clinical cases of iron overload is caused by mutations in the HFE gene. However, the role that HFE plays in the physiology of intestinal iron absorption remains enigmatic. Two major models have been proposed: 1) HFE exerts its effects on iron homeostasis indirectly, by modulating the expression of hepcidin; and 2) HFE exerts its effects directly, by changing the iron status (and...

Iron imports. I. Intestinal iron absorption and its regulation.

Our knowledge of how the body absorbs iron from the diet and how this process is controlled has increased at a rapid rate in recent years. The identification of key molecules, including the iron regulatory peptide hepcidin, and the analysis of how they are regulated and interact have led to the development of an integrated model for the control of iron absorption by body iron requirements. Rese...

Intestinal Iron Absorption

proteins that transfer electrons and manage oxygen. Until recently, there was little molecular understanding of how mammalian tissues meet the challenge of acquiring adequate amounts of iron without risking the toxic effects of iron excess. Our current knowledge of mammalian iron physiology and homeostasis is painted in broad brushstrokes, with many details remaining to be discovered. This revi...