Advances in research on ferritinophagy

Iron element is one of indispensable elements in life, and is involved in the synthesis of substances that play various important physiological functions. The iron atom in the cells is strictly regulated by the iron-dependent protein network. Most of the iron atom in the body is stored in ferritin. When the level of intracellular iron is reduced, ferritin is degraded to release free iron. This process is called ferritinophagy. Ferritinophagy is regulated by intracellular level of iron, and E3 ubiquitin ligase HERC2 is involved in the regulation of ferritinophagy due to its nuclear receptor-assisted activator (NCOA)4 binding site with ferritin. Studies have found that ferritinophagy is closely related to occurrence and development of many diseases, such as hematologic diseases, central nervous system diseases, ovarian neoplasms and so on. In order to provide theoretical guidance for targeted treatment of related diseases with ferritinophagy, this article reviews the research progress on ferritinophagy. Key words: Autophagy; Hematologic diseases; Anemia, iron-deficiency; Leukemia, myeloid; Central nervous system diseases; Ovarian neoplasms; Myocytes, cardiac; Nuclear receptor coactivators; Ferritinophagy