Hephaestin

Plasma membrane ferroxidase that mediates the extracellular conversion of ferrous/Fe(2+) iron into its ferric/Fe(3+) form. Couples ferroportin which specifically exports ferrous/Fe(2+) iron from cells to transferrin that only binds and shuttles extracellular ferric/Fe(3+) iron throughout the body (PubMed:22961397, PubMed:37277838). By helping iron transfer from cells to blood mainly contributes to dietary iron absorption by the intestinal epithelium and more generally regulates iron levels in the body (By similarity).

Belongs to the multicopper oxidase family.

Expressed by intestinal absorptive cells (at protein level) (PubMed:17486601). Also detected in breast, colon, bone trabecular cells and fibroblasts (PubMed:11932491).

• Basolateral cell membrane
• Single-pass type I membrane protein

KIAA0698, UNQ2562/PRO6242, HEPH, Hephaestin, Hp

• entrezGene:9843
• omim:300167
• swissprot:Q9BQS7

Proteins

Oncology

130449Da