Issue 2, 2011

Molecular mechanism of intestinal iron absorption

Abstract

Iron is an essential trace metal in the human diet because of its role in a number of metabolic processes including oxygen transport. In the diet, iron is present in two fundamental forms, heme and non-heme iron. This article presents a brief overview of the molecular mechanisms of intestinal iron absorption and its regulation. While many proteins that orchestrate iron transport pathway have been identified, a number of key factors that control the regulation of iron absorption still remain to be elucidated. This review also summarizes new and emerging information about iron metabolic regulators that coordinate regulation of intestinal iron absorption.

Graphical abstract: Molecular mechanism of intestinal iron absorption

Article information

Article type
Minireview
Submitted
26 Aug 2010
Accepted
14 Dec 2010
First published
06 Jan 2011

Metallomics, 2011,3, 103-109

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