New insights into iron release from ferritin: Direct observation of the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine entering ferritin and reaching redox equilibrium with the iron core

Abstract

Iron release from the iron storage protein ferritin has been studied extensively because of its important role in oxidative stress and its possible role in the progression of Parkinson's disease. For many years external indicators, notably strong iron(II) chelators, have been used to investigate this reaction. Such chelators can, however, drastically affect the electrochemical and thermodynamic properties of iron. The present study is unique in that it has been possible to follow a reaction taking place within the ferritin shell. This was made possible by our serendipitous discovery that, at physiological pHs, the oxidation product of 6-hydroxydopamine (a deprotonated quinone) acts as its ow..