Ferritin - The Cellular Iron Storage

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Iron plays a crucial role in transporting oxygen throughout the body. Oxygen is transported through hemoglobin, a protein that contains iron at its core, and binds molecular oxygen in the lungs before carrying it to cells that require oxygen for proper functioning. Without iron in the heme group, there would be no site for oxygen binding and thus cells would not receive essential oxygen leading to cell death. Besides hemoglobin, other proteins like myoglobin facilitate oxygen diffusion within muscle cells, while cytochromes supply energy to the body. Iron is also necessary for DNA synthesis, cell division, connective tissue production, neurotransmitter formation, and immune system maintenance. Iron levels in the body are regulated by ferritin, an iron-storage protein that stores excess iron and releases it as needed. This ensures adequate iron supply without toxicity even when consumption doesn't perfectly match loss. Ferritin acts as a buffer against both iron deficiency and overload, releasing or storing iron accordingly to maintain equilibrium within the blood and tissues.