Rapid regulation of intestinal divalent metal (cation) transporter 1(DMT1/DCT1) and ferritin mRNA expression in response to excess iron loading in iron-deficient rats

Abstract

We determined the effects of excess iron on the expression of duodenal divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) and ferritin (Ft) in iron-deficient rats which had increased iron absorption. DMT1 mRNA was down-regulated and Ft mRNA was up-regulated 2 h after administering the iron. However, more than 2 h was needed for Ft protein synthesis to occur in the duodenal mucosa.