Title
Genetic variation in Mon1a affects protein trafficking and modifies macrophage iron loading in mice
UMMS Affiliation
Program in Gene Function and Expression
Date
7-17-2007
Document Type
Article
Medical Subject Headings
Animals; Carrier Proteins; Cation Transport Proteins; Chromosomes, Mammalian; Crosses, Genetic; Female; Iron; Liver; Macrophages; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Protein Transport; *Quantitative Trait Loci; RNA, Small Interfering
Disciplines
Genetics and Genomics
Abstract
We undertook a quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis in mice to identify modifier genes that might influence the severity of human iron disorders. We identified a strong QTL on mouse chromosome 9 that differentially affected macrophage iron burden in C57BL/10J and SWR/J mice. A C57BL/10J missense allele of an evolutionarily conserved gene, Mon1a, cosegregated with the QTL in congenic mouse lines. We present evidence that Mon1a is involved in trafficking of ferroportin, the major mammalian iron exporter, to the surface of iron-recycling macrophages. Differences in amounts of surface ferroportin correlate with differences in cellular iron content. Mon1a is also important for trafficking of cell-surface and secreted molecules unrelated to iron metabolism, suggesting that it has a fundamental role in the mammalian secretory apparatus.
Rights and Permissions
Citation: Nat Genet. 2007 Aug;39(8):1025-32. Epub 2007 Jul 15. Link to article on publisher's site