Structural Overview of Ferritin

• Major iron storage protein

• Can store up to 4500 atoms of iron

• 5-30 % percent is stored as a tissue ferritin (macrophage, hepatocyte, erythrocytes)

• Serum ferritin binds only 0.004% of the body's iron

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Iron present in the body beyond what is immediately needed for functional purposes is stored as the soluble protein complex ferritin or the insoluble protein complex hemosiderin (16,17). Ferritin and hemosiderin are present primarily in the liver, bone marrow, spleen, and skeletal muscles. Small amounts of ferritin also circulate in the plasma. In healthy persons, most iron is stored as ferritin (an estimated 70% in men and 80% in women) and smaller amounts are stored as hemosiderin. When long-term negative iron balance occurs, iron stores are depleted before iron deficiency begins.

[16]. Bothwell TH. Overview and mechanisms of iron regulation. Nutr Rev 1995;53(9):237-45.

[17]. Bothwell TH, Chadton RW, Cook JD, Finch CA. Iron metabolism in man. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1979.