Ferritin is a universal intracellular protein that stores iron and releases it in a controlled fashion. The protein is produced by almost all living organisms, including archaea, bacteria, algae, higher plants, and animals. It is the primary intracellular iron-storage protein in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, keeping iron in a soluble and non-toxic form. In humans, it acts as a buffer against iron deficiency and iron overload.[3]
Ferritin is found in most tissues as a cytosolic protein, but small amounts are secreted into the serum where it functions as an iron carrier. Plasma ferritin is also an indirect marker of the total amount of iron stored in the body; hence, serum ferritin is used as a diagnostic test for iron-deficiency anemia.[4] Aggregated ferritin transforms into a toxic form of iron called hemosiderin.[5]
Ferritin is a globular protein complex consisting of 24 protein subunits forming a hollow nanocage with multiple metal–protein interactions.[6] Ferritin that is not combined with iron is called apoferritin.[citation needed]
^PDB: 1lb3; Granier T, Langlois d'Estaintot B, Gallois B, Chevalier JM, Précigoux G, Santambrogio P, Arosio P (January 2003). "Structural description of the active sites of mouse L-chain ferritin at 1.2 A resolution". Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry. 8 (1–2): 105–11. doi:10.1007/s00775-002-0389-4. PMID12459904. S2CID20756710.
^PDB: 1r03; Langlois d'Estaintot B, Santambrogio P, Granier T, Gallois B, Chevalier JM, Précigoux G, Levi S, Arosio P (July 2004). "Crystal structure and biochemical properties of the human mitochondrial ferritin and its mutant Ser144Ala". Journal of Molecular Biology. 340 (2): 277–93. doi:10.1016/j.jmb.2004.04.036. PMID15201052.
