Why is iron transported across membranes in the ferrous form?
Iron is transported across membranes in the ferrous form mainly due to its solubility and reactivity. The ferrous (Fe2+) form of iron is more soluble than the ferric (Fe3+) form, making it easier to transport across cell membranes. This solubility is crucial for its uptake and utilization by the body.
One of the main ways iron is transported across membranes is through specialized transporter proteins called divalent metal-ion transporter 1 (DMT1) or solute carrier 11 (SLC11A2). These transporters facilitate the movement of ferrous iron across cell membranes, particularly in the duodenum of the small intestine where iron absorption takes place
In the duodenum, iron is first reduced from the ferric form to the ferrous form by an enzyme called ferric reductase. This conversion increases the solubility of iron and prepares it for transport. DMT1 then transports the ferrous iron into the enterocytes – the absorptive cells of the small intestine –
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