Hepcidin
Hepcidin, encoded by the HAMP gene and also known as LEAP-1 or HEPC, is a secreted cysteine-rich peptide that maintains iron homeostasis. It also has antimicrobial activity against selected bacteria and fungi. Browse Assay Genie's current range of Hepcidin research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
Hepcidin is involved in the maintenance of iron homeostasis. It is necessary for the regulation of iron storage in macrophages and for intestinal iron absorption, which places it at the centre of how the body balances iron supply and storage. Researchers studying iron metabolism often measure hepcidin using an Hepcidin ELISA kit or probe it with a Hepcidin antibody.
The HAMP gene encodes a preproprotein that is post-translationally cleaved into mature peptides of 20, 22 and 25 amino acids. These active peptides are rich in cysteines, which form intramolecular bonds that stabilise their beta-sheet structures. The protein is secreted and belongs to the hepcidin family. Mouse and rat each carry an ortholog named Hamp, so the Hepcidin gene can be studied in common rodent models.
Beyond iron regulation, the peptides show antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi. UniProt records strong activity against E. coli ML35P and N. cinerea, weaker activity against S. epidermidis, S. aureus and group B streptococcus, and activity against the fungus C. albicans. No activity against P. aeruginosa is reported. The alias LEAP-1 reflects this antimicrobial character, as the name stands for liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide.
Mutations in HAMP cause hemochromatosis type 2B, also called juvenile hemochromatosis. This disease results from severe iron overload and leads to cardiomyopathy, cirrhosis and endocrine failure, which makes recombinant Hepcidin protein and related reagents relevant to disease-focused iron research.
Hepcidin is involved in maintaining iron homeostasis, making it a core target for studies of systemic iron balance.
Hepcidin is necessary for the regulation of iron storage in macrophages, a focus for work on cellular iron handling.
The peptide is required for regulating intestinal iron absorption, relevant to studies of dietary iron uptake.
HAMP mutations cause juvenile hemochromatosis, a severe iron overload disorder, so hepcidin is studied in haemochromatosis models.
Hepcidin helps maintain iron homeostasis. It is necessary for regulating iron storage in macrophages and intestinal iron absorption. The mature peptides also display antimicrobial activity against certain bacteria and fungi, including E. coli, N. cinerea and C. albicans.
Hepcidin is also called LEAP-1, LEAP1, HEPC and HFE2B, and the gene symbol is HAMP. The preproprotein is cleaved into mature peptides of 20, 22 and 25 amino acids, which are stabilised by cysteine-based intramolecular bonds.
Mutations in HAMP cause hemochromatosis type 2B (juvenile hemochromatosis), marked by severe iron overload. Mouse and rat both have a Hamp ortholog. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other iron-metabolism proteins and hemochromatosis-associated targets with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P81172; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.