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. 2023 Feb 3;24(3):3037. doi: 10.3390/ijms24033037

Figure 4.

Figure 4

IRE–IRP system. When an IRP binds to an IRE in the 5′ untranslated region (5′ UTR), translation is inhibited, whereas when it binds to an IRE in the 3′ UTR, mRNA stability is increased and translation is enhanced. IRPs are activated and bind to IREs only under iron deficiency. Proteins with IREs in the 5′ UTR include ferritin, ferroportin, ARAS2, and ACO2. Proteins with IREs in the 3′ UTR include transferrin receptor and DMT1. ARAS2, erythroid-specific delta-aminolevulinate synthase; ACO2, mitochondrial aconitase 2; IRE, iron-responsive element; IRP, iron regulatory protein.