Ferritin mRNA coordinate

Coordinate translational regulation of ferritin mRNA and transferrin receptor mRNA in nonerythroid cells. Iron regulatory proteins (IRP) are RNA-binding proteins that bind to iron regulatory elements (IREs). IREs are hairpin structures with loops consisting of CAGUGN sequences and are located at the 5 -untranslated region (UTR) and 3 -UTR for ferritin mRNA and transferrin mRNA, respectively. 

The levels of transferrin receptor and ferritin are regulated in a coordinated manner. When a cell needs more iron, the transferrin receptor increases in number in the plasma membrane of the cell, thus promoting uptake of Fe. At the same time, ferritin synthesis decreases, promoting the use of iron by Fe-requiring proteins in the cell. The levels of transferritin and ferritin are controlled by changes in the mRNA coding for these proteins, as detailed later in this section. 

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