SLC40A1
SLC40A1, also known as ferroportin, MTP1, IREG1 and FPN1, is a cell membrane protein that exports Fe(2+) from cells to the outside. It plays a key role in maintaining systemic iron homeostasis and is regulated by hepcidin. Browse Assay Genie's current range of SLC40A1 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
SLC40A1 transports Fe(2+) from the inside of a cell to the outside, and so plays a central role in maintaining systemic iron homeostasis. It moves iron from intestinal, splenic and hepatic cells, macrophages and erythrocytes into the blood, where it can be supplied to other tissues. Through this activity it controls dietary iron uptake, iron recycling by macrophages and erythrocytes, and the release of iron stores from hepatocytes.
The activity of the SLC40A1 protein is limited by the hormone HAMP (hepcidin). When iron is in excess in serum, circulating hepcidin levels rise and this results in degradation of SLC40A1, which restricts iron efflux into plasma. This feedback makes the transporter a focal point for studies of iron balance. The protein sits in the cell membrane, including the basolateral membrane, and the NCBI Gene summary notes that it may be involved in iron export from duodenal epithelial cells. It belongs to the ferroportin family (TC 2.A.100) and the SLC40A subfamily, and HGNC places the gene in the solute carrier family 40 group. Mouse and rat both carry an ortholog named Slc40a1.
The gene has had several names. Earlier HGNC names described it as a member of the proton-coupled divalent metal ion transporter family (SLC11A3) and as an iron-regulated transporter (IREG1), and it is also called MTP1, FPN1 and FPN. Defects in the SLC40A1 gene cause hemochromatosis type 4 (HFE4), which is why the gene is studied in iron-overload disease research.
SLC40A1 exports Fe(2+) into the blood and is a key determinant of systemic iron balance.
Hepcidin triggers degradation of SLC40A1 when serum iron is high, limiting iron efflux to plasma.
Defects in the SLC40A1 gene cause hemochromatosis type 4 (HFE4), an iron-overload disorder.
SLC40A1 controls iron recycling by macrophages and erythrocytes, as well as release of iron stores from hepatocytes.
SLC40A1, or ferroportin, transports Fe(2+) out of cells into the blood. It supplies iron from intestinal, splenic and hepatic cells, macrophages and erythrocytes to other tissues, and so controls dietary iron uptake, iron recycling and release of hepatocyte iron stores.
SLC40A1 is also called ferroportin, MTP1, IREG1, FPN1, FPN, HFE4 and SLC11A3. Older HGNC names include solute carrier family 40 (iron-regulated transporter), member 1, and solute carrier family 11 (proton-coupled divalent metal ion transporters), member 3.
Defects in SLC40A1 cause hemochromatosis type 4 (HFE4). The protein is regulated by hepcidin: when serum iron is in excess, rising hepcidin levels degrade SLC40A1 and limit iron efflux. Mouse and rat orthologs are named Slc40a1; check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other solute carrier family members, including the metal ion transporter SLC11A2, with research reagents at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q9NP59; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.