Iron is an essential element required by cells and has been described as a key player in ferroptosis. Ferritin operates as a fundamental iron storage protein in cells forming multimeric assemblies with crystalline iron cores. We discuss the latest findings on ferritin structure and activity and its link to cell metabolism and ferroptosis. The chemistry of iron, including its oxidations states, is important for its biological functions, its reactivity and the biology of ferritin. Ferritin can be localized in different cellular compartments and secreted by cells with a variety of functions depending on its spatial context. Here, we discuss how cellular ferritin localization is tightly linked to its function in a tissue-specific manner, and how impairment of iron homeostasis is implicated in diseases including cancer and COVID-19. Ferritin is a potential biomarker and we discuss latest research where it has been employed for imaging purposes and drug delivery.

中文翻译：

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铁蛋白的化学和生物学。

铁是细胞所需的必需元素，并且已被描述为铁锈病的关键因素。铁蛋白在细胞中起基本的铁存储蛋白的作用，形成具有结晶铁核的多聚体装配体。我们讨论了有关铁蛋白结构和活性及其与细胞代谢和肥大症的联系的最新发现。铁的化学性质（包括其氧化态）对于其生物学功能，反应性和铁蛋白的生物学都很重要。铁蛋白可定位在不同的细胞区室中，并由具有多种功能的细胞分泌，这取决于其空间环境。在这里，我们讨论细胞铁蛋白的定位如何以组织特异性方式与其功能紧密联系，以及铁稳态的损害如何与包括癌症和COVID-19在内的疾病有关。