Foundations of ferritin biology: IRE/IRP and iron-mediated regulation.

Note model of 5′ IRE repression of ferritin translation in low-iron conditions is similar to mechanism of iron-mediated regulation of erythroid ALA synthase (e-ALAS) gene. Similarly, destabilization of TfR mRNA under high-iron conditions by binding of IRP to 3′ IRE is similar to proposed regulation of divalent metal transporter-1 (DMT-1). C-acon indicates cytosolic cis-aconitase; IRP1, iron regulatory protein 1; IRP2, iron regulatory protein 2; IRE, iron responsive element.