The Role of Ferritin in the Body

Abstract

Ferritin, a crucial iron-storage protein, plays a vital role in controlling iron homeostasis, safeguarding cells from iron-induced oxidative damage, and facilitating cellular metabolism. Iron equilibrium is essential for various biological processes, including oxygen transport, DNA synthesis, and electron transfer. Abnormal ferritin levels, whether increased or decreased, are linked to various conditions, including anaemia, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, underscoring the necessity for a more profound comprehension of ferritin's regulatory processes. Nonetheless, despite ferritin's essential function, the mechanisms by which it regulates iron availability in various tissues and in reaction to fluctuating iron levels remain little understood.This work utilised biochemical assays, cell culture models, and high-resolution imaging techniques to examine the cellular and molecular roles of ferritin. We evaluated ferritin expression and iron-binding capacity under scenarios of iron surplus and deficit, and investigated its relationships with other proteins associated with iron transport and storage. Our findings indicate that ferritin operates dynamically within a network of iron regulatory proteins, enabling iron buffering and redistribution across cellular compartments to enhance mitochondrial performance and safeguard against oxidative stress.This discovery expands our comprehension of ferritin, revealing it as an active participant in cellular iron transport rather than only a storage molecule. These results may possess therapeutic implications, presenting prospective targets for addressing disorders associated with iron imbalance, and provide a basis for future investigations into ferritin's function in systemic and cellular iron regulation.