Stores iron in a soluble, non-toxic, readily available form. Important for iron homeostasis. Has ferroxidase activity (PubMed:9003196). Iron is taken up in the ferrous form and deposited as ferric hydroxides after oxidation (PubMed:9003196). Also plays a role in delivery of iron to cells (By similarity). Mediates iron uptake in capsule cells of the developing kidney (By similarity). Delivery to lysosomes is mediated by the cargo receptor NCOA4 for autophagic degradation and release of iron (PubM

CytoplasmLysosomeCytoplasmic vesicle, autophagosome

Hemochromatosis 5

A disorder of iron metabolism characterized by iron overload. Excess iron is deposited in a variety of organs leading to their failure, and resulting in serious illnesses including cirrhosis, hepatomas, diabetes, cardiomyopathy, arthritis, and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Severe effects of the disease usually do not appear until after decades of progressive iron loading.