Cellular Iron Localization Service
Iron is an important transition metal for almost all life. The two main destinations for iron in mammalian cells are cytoplasmic iron storage proteins, ferritin, and mitochondria. Protheragen provides high quality cell staining services to help our clients with mechanistic studies related to iron metabolism.
Iron Distribution in Cells
The two main destinations of iron in mammalian cells are cytoplasmic iron storage proteins, ferritin, and mitochondria. Cellular iron storage typically occurs within protein nanocages created by ferritin. The remainder of the iron is present in other heme-containing proteins, iron–sulfur cluster (ISC)-containing proteins and non-heme/non-ISC iron-containing proteins. In mitochondria, iron is used in key anabolic pathways including: iron storage in mitochondrial ferritin, heme synthesis, and iron-sulfur cluster (ISC) biogenesis.
Two Routes of Cellular Iron Uptake
Non-heme iron is transported into cells by two mechanisms: transferrin (Tf)-bound iron uptake and non-Tf-bound iron (NTBI) uptake. Under physiological conditions, almost all of the circulating iron is bound to Tf. However, in diseases causing iron overload, Tf becomes iron saturated and excess plasma iron is present in the form of NTBI.
- Transferrin (Tf)-bound Iron Uptake
Under physiological conditions, most Fe is bound to Tf, which binds to transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) on the cell surface and then participates in receptor-mediated endocytosis. Fe(II) is transported across the endosomal membrane via divalent metal transporter protein 1 (DMT1) and then becomes part of the labile iron pool (LIP) in the cytoplasmic lysis. - Non-Tf-bound Iron (NTBI) Uptake
In diseases leading to iron overload, Tf becomes iron saturated and excess plasma iron is present in the form of NTBI. The exact pathway of NTBI uptake remains unclear, but appears to involve the release of one or more cell surface iron reductases or cytoreductants. These enzymes reduce trivalent iron NTBI to its ferrous state, which can then be imported via transporter proteins.
Two major cell iron (Fe) uptake pathways [1].
Mitochondrial Iron Metabolism
Mitochondria play a crucial role in cellular iron metabolism. These organelles are the sole site of heme synthesis and the primary site of iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis. Because many proteins that depend on these iron-containing groups play a critical role in cellular metabolism, dysregulation of mitochondrial iron metabolism often leads to serious disease.
Our Services
Staining and localization of intracellular iron is an important method for identifying iron deficiency anemia and studying the mechanisms of iron metabolism. We provide our clients with intracellular iron localization services through Perl's staining and a high-resolution imaging microscopy platform.
Perl's Staining Workflow
Tissue Fixation, Dehydration and Embedding
Distilled Water Wash
Distilled Water Wash and Re-Staining
Dehydrated and Transparent, Neutral Gum Seal
Tissue Sectioning, Dewaxing Water
Slicing, Perl's Staining
Water Wash
Perl's staining is divided into eosin method, neutral red method, and nuclear solid red method. The staining principle is basically the same and is differentiated into these 3 methods according to the difference in staining solution when re-staining.
Imbalance in iron homeostasis can lead to the development of iron metabolism-related diseases, and intracellular iron localization can vary from disease to disease. We provide iron localization services in model animals or disease models including neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, iron deficiency anemia, thalassemia, hemochromatosis, etc. to help our clients in their research on related topics.
Our Advantages
Advanced Technology
Experienced Team
High Quality and Efficiency
Best After-sales Service
Protheragen has a professional team and advanced equipment, and the whole process is operated by experienced technicians to provide our customers with iron metabolism related cellular assay services. If you have any needs, please contact us.
Reference
- Lane D J R, et al. Cellular iron uptake, trafficking and metabolism: Key molecules and mechanisms and their roles in disease[J]. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-Molecular Cell Research, 2015, 1853(5): 1130-1144.