Siderophores (Greek: "iron carrier") are high-affinity iron chelating compounds secreted by living organisms to selectively catch iron from the environment decreasing its availability for competitors.
Siderophores cycle
deferoxamine mesilate
Human Siderophores
Human Siderophores are proteins that can be taken up by endosomes to release iron and eventually to be digested.
Lactoferrin
Melanoferrin
Plants Ions Chelators
To protect itself from parasites plants developed different types of iron chelators:
- Phytic acid (known as inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6), or phytate when in salt form) is the principal storage form of phosphorus in many plant tissues, especially bran and seeds. It is also able to chelate bivalent ions like Ca++ or Fe++
- Quercetin and similar molecules
Chemical Ions Chelators
Summary
a deeper insight
