Functional tissue iron

When speaking of iron containing proteins, especially two chemical moieties are biologically important; 'iron-sulphur complexes' and 'haem'.

In 'functional tissue iron', e.g the iron-sulphur complex of the enzyme aconitase is central to energy metabolism by being part of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Other examples are peroxidase enzymes (containing haem iron) protecting the cell from oxidative injury by reducing peroxides. Haem iron is also the active site of cytochrome enzymes, central to the activity of the electron transport chain. Other metalloenzymes, such as iron-containing oxygenases (able to add oxygen atoms to different substrates) may play a role in synthesis of proinflammatory leukotrienes.

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Description of proteins relevant to iron metabolism: