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Abstract
Disruptions in iron homeostasis from both iron deficiency and overload account for
some of the most common human diseases. Iron metabolism is balanced by two regulatory
systems, one that functions systemically and relies on the hormone hepcidin and the
iron exporter ferroportin, and another that predominantly controls cellular iron metabolism
through iron-regulatory proteins that bind iron-responsive elements in regulated messenger
RNAs. We describe how the two distinct systems function and how they "tango" together
in a coordinated manner. We also highlight some of the current questions in mammalian
iron metabolism and discuss therapeutic opportunities arising from a better understanding
of the underlying biological principles.
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