Ferritins (9007-73-2)

Ferritin (CAS NO.9007-73-2) is a red to brown saline solution. And it is a protein that stores iron and releases it in a controlled fashion, in single cells and multi-celled animals. It is a buffer against iron deficiency and iron overload. It is a globular protein complex consisting of 24 protein subunits and is the primary intracellular iron-storage protein in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, keeping iron in a soluble and non-toxic form. Ferritin that is not combined with iron is called apoferritin.Also, it is a 450 kDa protein consisting of 24 subunits that is present in every cell type. In vertebrates, these subunits are both the light (L) and the heavy (H) type with an apparent molecular weight of 19 kDA or 21 kDA respectively. In plants and bacteria the complex only consists of the H-chain type. Inside the ferritin shell, iron ions form crystallites together with phosphate and hydroxide ions. The resulting particle is similar to the mineral ferrihydrite. Each ferritin complex can store about 4500 iron (Fe³⁺) ions. Some Ferritin complexes in vertebrates are hetero-oligomers of two highly-related gene products with slightly different physiological properties. The ratio of the two homologous proteins in the complex depends on the relative expression levels of the two genes. Mitochondrial ferritin was recently identified as a protein precursor. It is classified as a metal-binding protein which is located within the mitochondria. After the protein is taken up by the mitochondria it can be processed into a mature protein and assemble functional ferritin shells. Its structure was determined at 1.70 angstroms through the use of X-ray diffraction and contains 182 residues. It is 67% helical. The Ramachandran plot shows that the structure of mitochondrial ferritin is mainly alpha helical with a low prevalence of beta sheets.
Diagnostic uses about Ferritin (CAS NO.9007-73-2) is:
Serum Ferritin levels are measured in patients as part of the iron studies workup for anemia and for restless legs syndrome. The ferritin levels measured have a direct correlation with the total amount of iron stored in the body including cases of anemia of chronic disease. Normal blood levels are 30-300 ng/mL for males and 15-200 ng/mL for females. ((according to clinical medicine by Kumar & Clark page 428)). If the ferritin level is low, there is a risk for lack of iron, which could lead to anemia. Low ferritin levels (<50 ng/mL) have however been associated with the symptoms of restless legs syndrome, even in the absence of anemia. In the setting of anemia, serum ferritin is the most sensitive lab test for iron deficiency anemia. Low ferritin may also indicate hypothyroidism or vitamin C deficiency. In a certain study in Paris, France, the level of iron in the blood (measured by ordering a ferritin serum test) has been connec

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