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Review
. 2002 Aug;51(2):290-5.
doi: 10.1136/gut.51.2.290.

Molecular pathogenesis of iron overload

D Trinder  1 , C Fox, G Vautier, J K Olynyk
Affiliations
Review

Molecular pathogenesis of iron overload

D Trinder et al. Gut. 2002 Aug.

Abstract

Our current understanding of iron absorption under normal conditions is presented, together with an overview of the clinical disorders of iron overload and the molecular processes that contribute to increased iron deposition in iron overload. Recently, a number of new genes involved in iron metabolism have been identified which is allowing the molecular mechanisms of iron absorption to be elucidated.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A model of the pathways of iron absorption by the enterocyte. The figure shows uptake of ionic iron and haem iron from the gut lumen and transfer of iron to blood. DMT1, divalent metal transporter 1; HFE, haemochromatosis protein, TfR1, transferrin receptor 1; TfR2, transferrin receptor 2.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Diagrammatic representation of the pathways of uptake of transferrin bound iron and non-transferrin bound iron by hepatocytes (see text for explanation). TfR1, transferrin receptor 1; TfR2, transferrin receptor 2; DMT1, divalent metal transporter 1; SFT, stimulator of iron transport.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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