Ferritin Heavy Chain / FTH1 (FTH1) Antibody – Mouse Monoclonal

This gene encodes the heavy subunit of ferritin, the major intracellular iron storage protein in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. It is composed of 24 subunits of the heavy and light ferritin chains. Variation in ferritin subunit composition may affect the rates of iron uptake and release in different tissues. A major function of ferritin is the storage of iron in a soluble and nontoxic state. Defects in ferritin proteins are associated with several neurodegenerative diseases. This gene has multiple pseudogenes. Several alternatively spliced transcript variants have been observed, but their biological validity has not been determined. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

Ferritin-H: Stores iron in a soluble, non-toxic, readily available form. Important for iron homeostasis. Has ferroxidase activity. Iron is taken up in the ferrous form and deposited as ferric hydroxides after oxidation. Also plays a role in delivery of iron to cells. Mediates iron uptake in capsule cells of the developing kidney. Oligomer of 24 subunits. There are two types of subunits: L (light) chain and H (heavy) chain. The major chain can be light or heavy, depending on the species and tissue type. The functional molecule forms a roughly spherical shell with a diameter of 12 nm and contains a central cavity into which the insoluble mineral iron core is deposited. Belongs to the ferritin family.

Protein type: Cofactor and Vitamin Metabolism - porphyrin and chlorophyll; EC 1.16.3.1; Oxidoreductase

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 11q13

Cellular Component: ferritin complex; mitochondrion; nucleus; cytosol

Molecular Function: ferroxidase activity; protein binding; ferric iron binding; iron ion binding

Biological Process: receptor-mediated endocytosis; negative regulation of cell proliferation; negative regulation of fibroblast proliferation; cellular iron ion homeostasis; immune response; post-Golgi vesicle-mediated transport; transmembrane transport; iron ion transport; intracellular sequestering of iron ion

Disease: Hemochromatosis, Type 5