Expression of Recombinant Human Ferritin for Treatment of Iron Deficiency

Ferritin, an iron-storage protein, is found in bacteria and some animal tissues such as liver, spleen, and bone marrow. It is more effective and causes less side reactions than the traditional ferrous sulfate, and thus has been used primarily to treat iron deficiency in pregnancy anaemia. Currently, the ferritin extracted from the bovine and equine spleens are sold as a commercial product. Its market is estimated as several hundreds of million US dollars. However, because of the recent warnings against the viral diseases of animal origins such as mad cow disease, a safer ferritin is sought after. Our research team has successfully developed a production process for recombinant human ferritin. Its expression titer from yeast is high enough to be economically viable, and its particle formation characteristics are as effective as well.