RGMC Recombinant Protein

The product of this gene is involved in iron metabolism. It may be a component of the signaling pathway which activates hepcidin or it may act as a modulator of hepcidin expression. It could also represent the cellular receptor for hepcidin. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been identified for this gene. Defects in this gene are the cause of hemochromatosis type 2A, also called juvenile hemochromatosis (JH). JH is an early-onset autosomal recessive disorder due to severe iron overload resulting in hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism, hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis and cardiomyopathy, occurring typically before age of 30. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

HFE2: Member of the repulsive guidance molecule (RGM) family. Involved in iron metabolism. Acts as a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) coreceptor. Enhancement of BMP signaling regulates hepcidin (HAMP) expression and iron metabolism. May cooperate with hepcidin to restrict iron absorption in the gut. Could represent the cellular receptor for hepcidin. Defects in HFE2 are the cause of hemochromatosis type 2A (HFE2A); also known as juvenile hemochromatosis (JH). HFE2A is an early-onset autosomal recessive disorder due to severe iron overload resulting in hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism, hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis and cardiomyopathy, occurring typically before age of 30. It is the consequence of intestinal iron hyperabsorption associated with macrophages that do not load iron. Deleterious mutations of HFE2 reduced HAMP (hepcidin) levels despite iron overload, which normally induces HAMP expression. Belongs to the repulsive guidance molecule (RGM) family. 3 isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative splicing.

Protein type: Membrane protein, GPI anchor

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 1q21.1

Cellular Component: extracellular space; cell surface; plasma membrane

Molecular Function: protein binding; coreceptor activity

Biological Process: BMP signaling pathway; axon guidance; iron ion homeostasis; positive regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter

Disease: Hemochromatosis, Type 2a