Hephaestin

Hephaestin ( Gen: HEPH ) is a homologous enzyme of ceruloplasmin, a membrane protein found in all Neumündern. In humans it is in chest, isolated intestine, bone trabeculae of cancellous bone and fibroblasts. It oxidizes the imported enterocytes of iron ( II) and prepares it for export by ferroportin. It is thus essential in iron metabolism in iron uptake by the intestine. Maybe it also transports copper. The protein is named Hephaestus ( blacksmith ) after the Greek god.

Pathology

Copper is essential necessary for the stability of Hephaestin. Mice without ceruloplasmin and Hephaestin show all the symptoms of macular degeneration. Increased concentrations of iron in the substantia nigra in Parkinson's disease are probably due to reduced activity of Hephaestin and ferroportin.

Regulation

Erythropoietin increases the Hephästinexpression and iron absorption in the duodenum. An iron-rich diet increased in rats the expression of ceruloplasmin and ferroportin, but not of Hephaestin. In intestinal cells, the transition to the stage of cancer with increased iron import and export reduced ( Hephästinaktivität ) is linked.

Protein isoform Human Genome Organisation Homology Human iron metabolism Digital Object Identifier Biochimica et Biophysica Acta
387292
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