Human ferritin H‐chains can be obtained in non‐assembled stable forms which have ferroxidase activity
Year: 1993
Type: article
Abstract: We found conditions to obtain the Leu-169-->Arg mutant of human ferritin H chain in a stable and non-assembled state. The protein obtained is an oligomer of subunits with a high degree of structured conformation, and when concentrated it re-assembles into ferritin cages. Functional studies showed that (i) it promotes iron oxidation like the assembled ferritin, but at slower rate, (ii) it is readily precipitated by the oxidised iron unless apotransferrin or L-chain ferritin are added to sequester Fe(III). The results confirm that ferroxidase activity is located within the H-chain, and indicate that the cages of the fully assembled ferritins are important not only in maintaining iron in a soluble form, but also in eliciting the activity of the ferroxidase centres.
Source: FEBS Letters
Institutions: University of Milan, University of Brescia
Language: English
Subfield: Hematology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W1988563855