What is the Difference Between Ferritin and Hemosiderin?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Ferritin and hemosiderin are both iron-containing proteins, but they have distinct differences:
- Solubility: Ferritin is water-soluble and heat-resistant up to 75°C, while hemosiderin is water-insoluble and thermally denatured.
- Location: Ferritin is found both in cells and in plasma, while hemosiderin is only found within cells.
- Structure: Ferritin is an intracellular protein that stores iron and releases it in a controlled manner. Hemosiderin, on the other hand, is an iron storage complex composed of partially digested ferritin and other materials.
- Iron Turnover: The iron turnover of ferritin is active, but that of hemosiderin is passive, mediated by ferritin.
- Magnetic Susceptibility: Both ferritin and hemosiderin are superparamagnetic, but hemosiderin's magnetic susceptibility effects are more powerful due to its larger particle size.
In summary, ferritin is a water-soluble, heat-resistant protein that actively stores and releases iron, while hemosiderin is an insoluble, thermally denatured complex that passively stores iron and is composed of partially digested ferritin and other materials.
Comparative Table: Ferritin vs Hemosiderin
Ferritin and hemosiderin are two forms of iron storage in the human body. Here is a table comparing their differences:
Feature | Ferritin | Hemosiderin |
---|---|---|
Definition | An intracellular protein that stores iron and releases it in a controlled manner. | An iron storage complex composed of partially digested ferritin. |
Location | Found in cells and plasma. | Found only within cells. |
Iron Availability | Water-soluble and heat-resistant up to 75°C. | Water-insoluble and thermally denatured. |
Appearance | Invisible or faintly visible by photomicroscopy. | Yellow-brownish granules that can be stained by Prussian blue. |
Primary Function | Stores and releases iron in a controlled manner, playing a key role in iron homeostasis. | Stores iron in situations where ferritin storage is insufficient, such as in cases of iron overload. |
Both ferritin and hemosiderin play important roles in iron homeostasis and are predominantly found in liver cells. However, ferritin is more readily available for the body's needs, while hemosiderin serves as a secondary storage form when ferritin storage capacity is reached.
- Ferritin vs Hemoglobin
- Iron vs Ferritin
- Serum Iron vs Ferritin
- Ferritin vs Transferrin
- Hemochromatosis vs Hemosiderosis
- Iron vs Hemoglobin
- Ferrous vs Ferric
- Magnetite vs Hematite
- Heme vs Hemin
- Hemochromatosis vs Thalassemia
- Heme vs Nonheme Iron
- Hemoglobin vs Hematocrit
- Ferric vs Ferrous Sulphate
- Hemocyanin vs Hemoglobin
- Ferredoxin vs Rubredoxin
- Hemolytic Anemia vs Iron Deficiency Anemia
- Iron vs Ferrous Sulfate
- Anemia vs Iron Deficiency
- Blood Transfusion vs Iron Infusion