Efficient Iron Loading of Ferritin Produced in E. coli

30 Oct 2024, 16:45
15m
134/4-406 (MLIT)

134/4-406

MLIT

20
Oral Life Science Life Science

Speaker

Alexey Vlasov (MIPT, JINR, BIOTECH)

Description

Ferritin, a globular protein complex essential for iron assimilation and storage within its apoferritin shell, possesses unique biochemical properties and a distinctive topology that make it suitable for diverse applications. This study explores the potential of ferritin as a dietary supplement for iron deficiency and anemia prevention.
We conducted cell cultivation experiments to investigate the efficiency of ferritin expression and iron loading both in vitro and in vivo. Using an E. coli strain engineered to produce ferritin, we loaded ferritin with iron directly within the cells. The degree of iron incorporation was assessed using a commercially available kit, revealing that up to 200 iron atoms were successfully loaded per ferritin molecule. These findings demonstrate that ferritin produced in E. coli can be efficiently iron-loaded, making it a promising candidate for use as an iron supplement. Further research into the molecular mechanisms of iron release from ferritin and its bioavailability in humans is necessary to determine the most effective ways to utilize ferritin for improving human health.
This study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, project FSMF-2023-0010; “Integrated structural biology and genetics for the production of protein preparations and biologically active substances as new food and non-food products.”.

Primary author

Alexey Vlasov (MIPT, JINR, BIOTECH)

Co-authors

Margarita Gette (Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT)) Oksana Tilinova (Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology) Sergey Bazhenov (Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT)) Yury Ryzhykau (MIPT, JINR) Илья Манухов (мфти)

Presentation materials