Jernechelasjon

Jernechelasjon is a term used in speculative biology and science fiction to describe a hypothetical process by which cells or organisms regulate iron ions through specialized chelating molecules. The term combines "jern" (iron in several Scandinavian languages) with "chelasjon" (a form of chelation). In most fictional contexts, jernechelasjon is envisioned as a controlled, reversible binding of iron that prevents toxicity and enables targeted delivery to enzymes and metabolic pathways.

In model descriptions, jernechelasjon resembles natural iron handling systems such as siderophores, transferrin, ferritin, or iron-sulfur cluster assembly, but adds a systemic chelation network that shuttles iron across membranes and organelles. The hypothetical mechanism would entail production of ligands with high affinity for Fe2+/Fe3+, receptor-mediated uptake, intracellular transport via chelate carriers, and a redox-regulated release to downstream proteins.

In literature and thought experiments, researchers use the concept to explore issues like metal homeostasis, the balance between essential and toxic levels of iron, and the design of metal-based therapeutics. No empirical evidence supports the existence of natural jernechelasjon; it remains a speculative construct and a narrative device.

Related concepts include iron chelation therapy, siderophores, ferritin, and metal homeostasis. The term is primarily used in fictional or theoretical discussions rather than in established biochemistry.