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Hemochromatosis is an inherited disorder of iron metabolism that results in iron accumulation and organ dysfunction. Most cases are due to a specific mutation (C282Y) in the Hfe gene on chromosome 6, with loss of function of the Hfe gene product. People with hemochromatosis have increased mucosal iron absorption, so, in recent years, researchers have scrutinized the mechanisms of iron absorption. A hepatic peptide, hepcidin, plays a key role by downregulating ferroportin, the cellular gatekeeper that permits iron egress from intestinal mucosal cells. The Hfe gene product might enhance the production of hepcidin in response to high levels of transferrin-bound iron, or it might regulate duodenal iron absorption directly. To resolve this issue…