Abstract
Iron is an important trace element for proper cell functioning. It is present in cytochromes, hemoglobin and myoglobin (Mb), where it binds to oxygen. It is also an electron acceptor in the respiratory chain. Mb is an 18 kDa heme-protein, highly expressed in skeletal muscle and heart. The expression of several genes involved in the metabolism of iron is post-transcriptionally regulated by this element. Iron was shown to interfere with the polyadenylation step, modifying their poly (A) tail length and, as a consequence, their stability and translation rate. The aim of this study was to investigate whether iron supplementation or long and short-term restriction affects Mb gene and protein expression, as well as Mb mRNA poly(A) tail length, in cardiac and skeletal muscles of rats. Long-term iron restriction caused an increase in Mb gene and protein expression in Soleus muscle. No changes were observed in extensor digitorum longus muscle and heart. Short-term iron supplementation after iron deprivation did not alter Mb gene expression and mRNA poly(A) tail length in all tissues studied. These results indicate that Mb gene and protein expression is upregulated in response to iron deprivation, an effect that is tissue-specific and seems to occur at transcriptional level.
Highlights
Iron is a trace element that accepts and donates electrons
Based on (a) the high expression of Mb, which is essential for the maintenance of intracellular O2 storage and transportation to the mitochondria, (b) the role of Mb as an acceptor of reactive O2 and N2 species and (c) that about 15% of iron in the body is in part stored in Mb, this study aimed at investigating whether alterations in iron supply could affect Mb gene expression, which would place the iron as an important element involved in the regulation of the expression of this protein
Mb plays a central role in muscle cells functions, such as storage and transport of oxygen to the mitochondria, these processes are dependent on the presence of iron in the heme group of this protein (Andrews 2000, Hentze and Kühn 1996, Niederkofler et al 2005)
Summary
Iron is a trace element that accepts and donates electrons This property makes it extremely useful in several important reactions that are necessary for the appropriate functioning of the whole body. It is present in cytochromes, hemoglobin (Hb) which binds and transports O2 to tissues, myoglobin (Mb), which functions as a storage of O2 in cardiac. Iron deficiency is still a major nutritional problem today, affecting about 15% of people in the world. It is one of the causes of anemia, a disease that causes disability in thermoregulation during cold exposure, in psychomotor development and affects work capacity, among others, effects that. BRUNETTO and MARIA TEREZA NUNES have been shown, both in humans and experimental animals (Beard et al 1998, Gera and Sachdev 2002, Hass and Brownlie 2001, He et al 2008, Hegde et al 2006, Moy and Early 1999, Paiva et al 2000, Zimmermann et al 2005, Ebner and von Haehling 2013)
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