Biomaterial Database

Molecular mechanism of intestinal iron absorption. 2011

Okhee Han

Department of Nutritional Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, 110 Chandlee Laboratory, University Park, PA 16802, USA. ouh1@psu.edu

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.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007408	Intestinal Absorption	Uptake of substances through the lining of the INTESTINES.	Absorption, Intestinal
D007413	Intestinal Mucosa	Lining of the INTESTINES, consisting of an inner EPITHELIUM, a middle LAMINA PROPRIA, and an outer MUSCULARIS MUCOSAE. In the SMALL INTESTINE, the mucosa is characterized by a series of folds and abundance of absorptive cells (ENTEROCYTES) with MICROVILLI.	Intestinal Epithelium,Intestinal Glands,Epithelium, Intestinal,Gland, Intestinal,Glands, Intestinal,Intestinal Gland,Mucosa, Intestinal
D008954	Models, Biological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D008958	Models, Molecular	Models used experimentally or theoretically to study molecular shape, electronic properties, or interactions; includes analogous molecules, computer-generated graphics, and mechanical structures.	Molecular Models,Model, Molecular,Molecular Model
D006418	Heme	The color-furnishing portion of hemoglobin. It is found free in tissues and as the prosthetic group in many hemeproteins.	Ferroprotoporphyrin,Protoheme,Haem,Heme b,Protoheme IX
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001692	Biological Transport	The movement of materials (including biochemical substances and drugs) through a biological system at the cellular level. The transport can be across cell membranes and epithelial layers. It also can occur within intracellular compartments and extracellular compartments.	Transport, Biological,Biologic Transport,Transport, Biologic
D058085	Iron Compounds	Organic and inorganic compounds that contain iron as an integral part of the molecule.	Compounds, Iron
D019266	Iron, Dietary	Iron or iron compounds in FOOD AND BEVERAGES or DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS. Iron is important in OXYGEN transport and the synthesis of the iron-porphyrin proteins such as HEMOGLOBIN; MYOGLOBIN; and CYTOCHROMES. Insufficient amounts of dietary iron can lead to IRON DEFICIENCIES.	Dietary Iron
D035925	Iron-Regulatory Proteins	Proteins that regulate cellular and organismal iron homeostasis. They play an important biological role by maintaining iron levels that are adequate for metabolic need, but below the toxicity threshold.	Iron Regulatory Factor,Iron Response Protein,IRE-BP,IRE-Binding Protein,Iron-Regulatory Protein,Iron-Response Proteins,Iron-Responsive Element Binding Proteins,Iron-Responsive Elements-Binding Protein,IRE Binding Protein,Iron Regulatory Protein,Iron Regulatory Proteins,Iron Response Proteins,Iron Responsive Element Binding Proteins,Iron Responsive Elements Binding Protein,Protein, Iron Response,Regulatory Factor, Iron,Response Protein, Iron