HFE siRNA (Mouse)

HFE: Binds to transferrin receptor (TFR) and reduces its affinity for iron-loaded transferrin. Defects in HFE are a cause of hemochromatosis (HFE). 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. Defects in HFE are associated with variegate porphyria (VP). Porphyrias are inherited defects in the biosynthesis of heme, resulting in the accumulation and increased excretion of porphyrins or porphyrin precursors. They are classified as erythropoietic or hepatic, depending on whether the enzyme deficiency occurs in red blood cells or in the liver. VP is the most common form of porphyria in South Africa. It is characterized by skin hyperpigmentation and hypertrichosis, abdominal pain, tachycardia, hypertension and neuromuscular disturbances. High fecal levels of protoporphyrin and coproporphyrin, increased urine uroporphyrins and iron overload are typical markers of the disease. Iron overload due to HFE mutations is a precipitating or exacerbating factor in variegate porphyria. Defects in HFE are associated with susceptibility to microvascular complications of diabetes type 7 (MVCD7). These are pathological conditions that develop in numerous tissues and organs as a consequence of diabetes mellitus. They include diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy leading to end-stage renal disease, and diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic retinopathy remains the major cause of new-onset blindness among diabetic adults. It is characterized by vascular permeability and increased tissue ischemia and angiogenesis. Belongs to the MHC class I family. 11 isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative splicing.

Protein type: Membrane protein, integral

Cellular Component: recycling endosome; membrane; perinuclear region of cytoplasm; apical part of cell; early endosome; integral to membrane; plasma membrane; cytoplasmic vesicle; MHC class I protein complex

Molecular Function: peptide antigen binding; antigen binding; receptor binding

Biological Process: antigen processing and presentation; iron ion homeostasis; antigen processing and presentation of peptide antigen via MHC class I; immune system process; positive regulation of T cell mediated cytotoxicity; immune response; hormone biosynthetic process

Disease: Alzheimer Disease