Tag: Iron sulfur clusters

Approximately 70% of the body's total iron is bound to hemoglobin in red blood cells, but the remaining iron plays crucial roles as a cofactor for many enzymes. Numerous enzymes across various metabolic pathways depend on iron for their structure and catalytic activity, making iron an essential mineral beyond its well-known role in oxygen transport. Iron-dependent enzymes are vital for processes ranging from energy production to DNA synthesis and detoxification.

An estimated 24.8% of the global population suffers from iron deficiency, a condition that severely impairs the function of many critical iron-dependent enzymes. Iron's unique ability to accept and donate electrons makes it a fundamental cofactor for hundreds of essential biological reactions.