ferritin

American  

[fer-i-tn] / ˈfɛr ɪ tn /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. an amber-colored, crystalline protein, found in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow, that consists of apoferritin combined with a ferric hydroxide-ferric phosphate complex and that stores iron for use in metabolism.

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ferritin British  

/ ˈfɛrɪtɪn /

noun

1. biochem a protein that contains iron and plays a part in the storage of iron in the body. It occurs in the liver and spleen

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Etymology

Origin of ferritin

First recorded in 1935–40; ferrite + -in ²

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ferritin

Current methods monitor a protein known as ferritin, the body's iron storage mechanism.

From BBC ● May 6, 2024

In contrast, a vaccine based on a scaffold protein called ferritin, coated with SARS-CoV-2 antigens, generated many antibodies against ferritin as well as SARS-CoV-2.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 30, 2024

Diagnosis typically involves a blood test that screens for iron markers such as ferritin, a protein that stores iron.

From Salon ● Sep. 13, 2023

And unlike iron, which is easily assessed by measuring levels of iron-containing blood proteins like hemoglobin and ferritin, there is no biomarker that can be used as an indicator of zinc levels.

From Washington Post ● Jan. 14, 2022

The bone marrow, liver, and spleen can store iron in the protein compounds ferritin and hemosiderin.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013