Fig. 1.

Iron metabolism and homeostasis: DMT1 and HCP1 transfer Fe²⁺ and heme from the gut lumen into the enterocytes. Fe²⁺ arising from non-heme and heme iron enters the LIP. Fe²⁺ can release from the cell by iron exporter ferroportin and the surplus of that transfer to a cytosolic iron storage protein called ferritin. The iron released from the enterocytes is re-oxidized to Fe³⁺ and transport by plasma iron-free transferrin so-called Apo-Tf. Apo-Tf can bind to ferric ions and form Holo-Tf and deliver iron to the target tissues such as bone marrow, liver, and brain. DMT1, Divalent metal transporter 1; HCP1, heme carrier protein 1; LIP, labile iron pool; Apo-Tf, apo-transferrin; Holo-Tf, holo-transferrin; HO-1, heme oxygenase-1; Dcytb, duodenal cytochrome B. This Figure was created by BioRender (https://biorender.com/)