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Fig. 2 | Journal of Hematology & Oncology

Fig. 2

From: Emerging agents that target signaling pathways in cancer stem cells

Fig. 2

The regulation of iron. Transferrin can combine with two Fe3+ ions and then bind to transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1), forming the holo-Tf-TfR1 complex. This complex is encased in endosomes. In the endosome, Fe3+ is converted to Fe2+, which then binds to DMT1 (divalent metal transporter 1), forming the Fe2+-DMT1 complex. This complex is transferred to the labile iron pool (LIP)/lysosome, and Fe2+ binds to PCPB1/2 (poly-(rC)-binding protein 1/2). IRP2 binds to the 5'-end IREs in FPN1 and ferritin to inhibit their transcription and 3'-end IREs in TFR1 and DMT1 to prevent their degradation; therefore, the iron level in the cell increases

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