We have isolated and characterized a novel iron-regulated gene that is homologous to the
divalent metal transporter 1 family of metal transporters. This gene, termed metal transporter
protein (mtp1), is expressed in tissues involved in body iron homeostasis including the
developing and mature reticuloendothelial system, the duodenum, and the pregnant uterus.
MTP1 is also expressed in muscle and central nervous system cells in the embryo. At the
subcellular level, MTP1 is localized to the basolateral membrane of the duodenal epithelial …