rautavarastoproteiini

Rautavarastoproteiini, also known as ferritin, is a globular protein complex that serves as the primary intracellular iron-storage protein. It is found in virtually all living organisms, from bacteria to humans. Ferritin's main function is to safely store excess iron, preventing it from forming toxic free radicals. It can store up to 4,500 iron atoms in its hollow core.

The ferritin molecule consists of a shell made of 24 protein subunits, which form a hollow sphere. Iron ions enter the core and are stored as iron(III) oxide-phosphate. This storage mechanism is crucial for maintaining iron homeostasis in the body, ensuring a readily available supply of iron for essential cellular processes like DNA synthesis and oxygen transport, while also protecting cells from iron overload.

Ferritin levels in the blood are often used as a clinical marker for iron status. Low ferritin levels can indicate iron deficiency anemia, while high levels can suggest iron overload conditions such as hemochromatosis or inflammatory states, as ferritin is also an acute-phase reactant. Measuring serum ferritin is a common diagnostic tool for assessing the body's iron stores.