Chronic Fatigue, Weakness, Joint Pain and Arthritis

Published: 16:26 EST, November 02, 2007 Toolbox
Scientists discover novel way to remove iron from ferritin
A new study led by Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute
senior scientist, Elizabeth Theil, Ph.D., is the first to suggest that
a small protein or heptapeptide (seven amino acids wrapped into one
unit) could be used to accelerate the removal of iron from ferritin.
The results of this study may help scientists develop new medications
that dramatically improve the removal of excess iron in patients
diagnosed with blood diseases such as B-Thalassemia (Cooley's anemia)
or Sickle Cell Disease.
The study appears in this month's issue of the Journal of Biological
Chemistry and was conducted by Dr. Theil and her co-authors Xiaofeng
S. Liu, postdoctoral fellow at Children's Hospital Oakland Research
Institute, Marvin J. Miller, Ph.D. and Leslie D. Patterson, a
predoctoral student, both from the University of Notre Dame. The
scientists knew that the ferritin protein cage had pores that could
open and close. It was also known that chelators (a method to detoxify
blood) removed iron faster when the pores were open.
"We wanted to prove a hypothesis that a small protein or peptide could
bind to ferritin and could be used to regulate ferritin pores," said
Dr. Theil. "Our hypothesis was correct. We proved that when a binding
peptide of seven amino acids, a heptapeptide, is coupled with Desferal
the rate of removal of iron from ferritin is eight times faster."
Desferal is currently used to detoxify the blood of patients with iron
overload and is a common therapeutic remedy.

Ferritin is a protein that concentrates iron in its inner core or
'cage'. It plays a critical role in understanding iron overload, which
can lead to a variety of symptoms including chronic fatigue, weakness,
joint pain and arthritis. If left untreated, iron overload can lead to
serious problems, including diabetes, liver and heart disease.

Source: Children's Hospital & Research Center at Oakland


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