The liver plays a central role in
iron metabolism. It is the major storage site for
iron and also expresses a complex range of molecules which are involved in
iron transport and regulation of
iron homeostasis. An increasing number of genes associated with hepatic
iron transport or regulation have been identified. These include
transferrin receptors (TFR1 and 2), a
ferrireductase (STEAP3), the transporters
divalent metal transporter-1 (DMT1) and
ferroportin (FPN) as well as the
haemochromatosis protein, HFE and haemojuvelin (HJV), which are signalling molecules. Many of these genes also participate in
iron regulatory pathways which focus on the hepatic
peptide hepcidin. However, we are still only beginning to understand the complex interactions between liver
iron transport and
iron homeostasis. This review outlines our current knowledge of molecules of
iron metabolism and their roles in
iron transport and regulation of
iron homeostasis.