Caroline C. Philpott, M.D.

Current Research

Iron is an essential nutrient for almost every organism. It is required by every cell in the human body, yet it can also be a potent cellular toxin. Iron is essential because enzymes that require iron cofactors (namely, heme, iron-sulfur clusters, mononuclear, and diiron centers) are involved in virtually every major metabolic process in the cell. Iron deficiency continues to be the most common nutritional deficiency in the world, especially among children and women of childbearing age, where it causes anemia and impairs neurological development and function. Although the pathogenesis of anemia in iron deficiency is well understood, other manifestations of iron deficiency are not understood at the cellular or metabolic levels. Iron overload is a feature of an increasing number of human diseases, including genetic disorders such as hereditary hemochromatosis, thalassemias, and Friedreich’s ataxia, as well as chronic inflammatory diseases of the liver, such as hepatitis C. Our laboratory focuses on the genetics and cell biology of iron uptake and utilization in eukaryotes. Previously, we identified and characterized systems of iron transport in baker’s yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. More recently, we have used the genetic tractability of yeast to focus on the intracellular trafficking and distribution of iron cofactors in yeast and mammalian cells.

Mammalian cells express hundreds of metalloproteins. Most contain the abundant metals iron and zinc, while others contain various trace metals such as copper, manganese, molybdenum, and cobalt. Although incorporation of the appropriate metal ion(s) into cellular metalloproteins is a critical and essential process, the mechanism by which most metalloproteins receive their specific cofactor is unknown. Some proteins rely on metallochaperones—proteins that specifically bind metal ions and deliver them to target enzymes and transporters through direct protein-protein interactions.

We identified poly (rC) binding protein 1 (PCBP1) as a cytosolic iron chaperone that delivers iron to ferritin. In mammals, ferritin is an iron storage protein consisting of 24 subunits of heavy (H) and light (L) peptides that assemble into a hollow sphere into which iron is deposited. PCBP1 binds both Fe(II) and ferritin and facilitates the incorporation of iron into ferritin. Non-heme iron enzymes in the cytosol require PCBP1 for the insertion of iron cofactors. We have identified additional components of the intracellular iron trafficking system. Murine models of conditional PCBP1 deficiency reveal the critical roles of PCBPs in cells and tissues.  

Our research program couples the power of yeast genetics, mammalian cell biology, and murine models to understand the the cell biology and biochemistry of iron chaperones in mammalian iron utilization in human health and disease.

Need for Further Study

We identified poly (rC) binding protein 1 (PCBP1) as a cytosolic iron chaperone that delivers iron to ferritin. In mammals, ferritin is an iron storage protein consisting of 24 subunits of heavy (H) and light (L) peptides that assemble into a hollow sphere into which iron is deposited. PCBP1 binds both Fe(II) and ferritin and facilitates the incorporation of iron into ferritin. Studies are underway to identify other iron enzymes that require PCBP1 for the insertion of iron cofactors and to further characterize the cell biology and biochemistry of iron chaperones in mammals.

Research in Plain Language

Almost all organisms need iron. Every cell in the human body requires this nutrient. Iron plays a role in most major metabolic processes in the cell. Low iron levels are the most common nutritional deficiency in the world. It particularly affects children and women of childbearing age. Low iron levels cause anemia. Anemia is a decrease in the number of healthy red blood cells available to carry oxygen throughout the body. Iron deficiency also impairs development and function of the nervous system. Scientists have a good understanding of anemia. However, they do not yet understand other iron deficiency expressions.

Iron can also kill cells. Iron overload plays a role in an increasing number of human diseases. These include genetic disorders and chronic inflammatory diseases. Our laboratory focuses on the genetics and cell biology of iron absorption and use. We have identified and characterized systems of iron transfer in baker’s yeast. This organism has well-defined genetics. Recently, we have focused on the intracellular transport and distribution of iron cofactors. Cofactors are substances that an enzyme needs to work. We conduct these studies in yeast and mammalian cells.

Mammalian cells express hundreds of metalloproteins. Metalloproteins are proteins that contain a metal and require it to function properly. Most contain the abundant metals iron and zinc. Others contain various trace metals such as copper and manganese. The inclusion of the metal ion(s) into metalloproteins is essential. However, scientists do not yet understand the steps in this process. We try to understand the biology of iron use in human health and disease. Our studies combine yeast genetics, mammalian cell biology, and mice experiments.