ferritin

[ fer-i-tn ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. an amber-colored, crystalline protein, found in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow, that consists of apoferritin combined with a ferric hydroxide-ferric phosphate complex and that stores iron for use in metabolism.

ferritin

/ ˈfɛrɪtɪn /

noun

1. biochem a protein that contains iron and plays a part in the storage of iron in the body. It occurs in the liver and spleen

Word History and Origins

Origin of ferritin¹

First recorded in 1935–40; ferrite + -in ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of ferritin¹

C20: from ferrite + -in

Example Sentences

Current methods monitor a protein known as ferritin, the body's iron storage mechanism.

From BBC

Diagnosis typically involves a blood test that screens for iron markers such as ferritin, a protein that stores iron.

From Salon

And unlike iron, which is easily assessed by measuring levels of iron-containing blood proteins like hemoglobin and ferritin, there is no biomarker that can be used as an indicator of zinc levels.

From Washington Post

The process starts when compounds in the tobacco products make contact with the corneal cells, which leads ferritin inside the cells to start breaking down and releasing stored iron, Otsu explains.

From Scientific American

In January 2020, he started rapidly repurposing that work, crafting an experimental vaccine made up of a ferritin nanoparticle studded with coronavirus spike proteins.

From Washington Post