Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
phosphate, horse spleen ferritin, HOSF, iron, toxic
College
Physical and Mathematical Sciences
Department
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Abstract
Although iron Is necessary for life, It Is toxic If left free In most organIsms. To control Its toxic effects and still have iron available for biological use, organisms use ferrltins. Ferritins are similar throughout the biological world. Each ferritin is a roughly spherical, hollow protein with a thin, negatively charged shell that can hold up to 4500 Iron atoms. This shell is composed of 24 nearly Identical subunits. Junctions between three or four subunits form channels, 3-fold or 4-fold respectively, that traverse the protein shell. The hydrophilic 3-fold channels are believed to be the key pathway for the uptake and release of iron.
Recommended Citation
Johnson, Joseph
(2014)
"THE LOCATION AND ROLE OF PHOSPHATE IN HORSE SPLEEN FERRITIN (HOSF),"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2014:
Iss.
1, Article 1107.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2014/iss1/1107